Pregnant women urged to get vaccine as 'highly contagious' bug sweeps across UK
Pregnant women are being advised to get vaccinated amid a surge in cases of whooping cough in England and Wales.
There were 716 suspected cases between July and November this year, an enormous 250% increase when compared to the same months of 2022. Local authorities are told to notify the UK Health Security Agency when a patient comes to them showing signs of the disease. Not all of the cases reported were confirmed as the ailment after being sent for testing.
Whooping cough, with its medical name of pertussis, is a bacterial infection that affects the lungs and spreads rapidly. Before vaccines were introduced, it infected thousands of people.
Despite its rapid spread, whooping cough is easily preventable, experts say (Getty Images/iStockphoto)Despite its rapid spread, it is easily preventable, according to experts. But the condition is notorious for causing serious complications in babies and children
UKHSA Consultant Epidemiologist Dr Gayatri Amirthalingam said the surge in cases is to be "expected" in the aftermath of the Covid pandemic. He said that the virus drove down Brits' immunity levels, meaning the disease has been able to take hold easily.
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Whooping cough has not disappeared completely from the UK through the rollout of vaccines, but the jab can provide "life-long protection".
“Social distancing and lockdown measures imposed across the UK during the COVID-19 pandemic had a significant impact on the spread of infections, including whooping cough,” Dr Amirthalingam added. “As expected, we are now seeing cases of whooping cough increase again so it’s vital pregnant women ensure they get vaccinated to protect their baby.”
Whooping cough has not disappeared completely from the UK through the rollout of vaccines, but the jab can provide 'life-long protection' (Getty Images/iStockphoto)The NHS explains that after around seven days, you or your child might experience coughing fits that last for a few minutes, are worse at night and may make a "whoop" sound a gasp for breath between coughs. Young babies and some adults may not "whoop". After a coughing bout, the patient may struggle to breathe and could turn blue or grey (especially young infants), and they may bring up thick mucus, which can cause vomiting.
The NHS further adds that the patient's face may become very red (more common in adults). If your baby is under 6 months old and shows symptoms of whooping cough, or if you or your child have a severe cough that is getting worse, or if you've been in contact with someone with whooping cough and you're pregnant, you should seek an urgent GP appointment or get help from NHS 111.
You should also call 111 if you or your child has been in contact with someone with whooping cough and have a weakened immune system.
Once infected with whooping cough, it takes around seven to ten days for signs and symptoms to appear, though it can sometimes take longer. They're usually mild at first and are very similar to the common cold. They can include:
Nasal congestion
- A runny nose
- Red, watery eyes
A cough
- A fever
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