Urgent warning for parents to take action as cases of '100-day cough' surge

13 February 2024 , 20:43

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Health officials have issued a warning about rising cases of whooping cough (stock image) (Image: SHARED CONTENT UNIT)

British parents have been warned by doctors over rising cases of a bacterial infection.

Whooping cough, also known as pertussis, starts like a common cold but can lead to severe coughing fits that last up to three months - earning it the nickname 'the 100-day cough'.

The cough sometimes makes a 'whoop' sound, and the best way to prevent it is by getting fully vaccinated. Cases of the infection have been increasing in recent months, and parents were previously urged to isolate for 48 hours if their child had been infected.

Parents are also being asked to make sure their children get their jabs. Dr Gayatri Amirthalingam, a Consultant Epidemiologist at the UK Health Security Agency, stressed it was "vital" for parents to ensure their children were vaccinated, reports the LiverpoolEcho. She added: "Whooping cough affects all ages, but for unvaccinated babies and very young children it can cause serious complications."

"It's vital that pregnant women get vaccinated to protect their babies from birth and parents ensure infants receive their vaccines at 8, 12 and 16 weeks of age or as soon as possible after that if their vaccines are delayed. While cases of whooping cough are now increasing following exceptionally low levels during the pandemic, they currently remain lower than the pre-pandemic years."

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Before everyone had routine jabs for it, there were usually big outbreaks of whopping cough affecting loads of people every two to three years, leading to many deaths. However, a jab is the best way to stop yourself from getting it, say the health bosses. You should definitely think about having the jab between 16 and 32 weeks into your pregnancy, to give your baby protection while they're still in your womb. Expectant mums can have a chat with their GP or antenatal clinic for more information on getting their jab.

The NHS says you must get urgent advice from a GP or call NHS 111 if your baby is under 6 months old and has symptoms of whooping cough, or if you or your child have a very bad cough that is getting worse. You should also seek help if you've been in contact with someone with whooping cough and you're pregnant, or if you or your child has been in contact with someone with whooping cough and has a weakened immune system.

Five key signs of whooping cough

• Coughing bouts lasting for a few minutes and are worse at night
• Coughs that make a "whoop" sound – a gasp for breath between coughs
• Difficulty breathing after coughs, which could lead to turning blue or grey in young infants
• Bringing up a thick mucus, which can lead to vomiting
• Turning very red in the face

Benedict Tetzlaff-Deas