CASES of the dreaded “100-day cough” increased by almost 40% in one week, new figures suggest.
A total of 824 Britons are believed to have fallen ill with the bacterial infection in the week leading up to April 14 – up from 595 the previous week.
Whooping cough is a bacterial infection of the lungs and breathing tubes that spreads quickly.
Symptoms tend to be similar to those of a cold, such as a runny nose and sore throat, as well as coughing attacks that last a few minutes and worsen at night.
Some people make a “whooping” sound when they choke between coughs, while others cough up thick mucus and have a very red face.
The condition can last several weeks or months, which is why it is often called the “100-day cough.”
Sometimes the cough is so intense that patients can fracture ribs.
Infection rates for the disease, officially called pertussis, are high across all regions of England and Wales, but children living in the South West are most at risk, a report has shown.
Suspected cases are based on notifications from doctors, who report incidences of infectious disease symptoms.
Not all are later confirmed as pertussis by laboratory tests.
But separate data on confirmed cases published earlier this month also revealed a worrying rise in the number of people with the disease in England and Wales.
There were 1,468 cases of the disease in January and February 2024, compared to 858 in 2023, according to figures from the UK Health Security Agency (UKHSA).
The last peak year, in 2016, recorded 5,949 cases in England.
Experts have warned that declining population immunity due to low vaccine uptake is likely behind this outbreak.
Is your area at risk?
The Reporting of Infectious Diseases (NOIDS) report, which tracks suspected cases of infectious diseases weekly, shows where outbreaks are likely to occur.
It does not specify the ages of people suspected of having the virus, although children often have it worst.
The Southwest, ravaged by the disease, registered 125 suspected cases last week, followed closely by the Southeast, with 113.
The big smoke appeared as the third most infected area, with 104 infections.
In fourth and fifth place were the East of England with 98 and the East Midlands with 93.
Doctors in Wales reported 84 cases, putting them in sixth place. Yorkshire and the Humber and the North West followed with 62 and 61 cases respectively, putting them in seventh and eighth place.
The West Midlands and North East were at the bottom of the table, with 44 and 40 cases – making them the areas least affected by the current outbreak.
Get skewered
Whooping cough can be extremely serious — even fatal — especially for children and babies who have not been vaccinated.
The disease spreads easily and can sometimes cause serious problems, including broken ribs, pneumonia and seizures.
O NHS notes Hernia, rib pain, middle ear infections and urinary incontinence can also occur.
The UKHSA previously warned that a rise in cases in 2024 will occur during a steady decline in whooping cough vaccine uptake in pregnant women and children.
Parents have been urged to check their children are protected, and the UKHSA is reminding mums-to-be to get the vaccine so their babies are protected at birth.
It is offered as part of the six-in-one injection when babies are eight, 12 and 16 weeks old.
The number of two-year-olds who completed the six-in-one vaccination in September 2023 is 92.9 percent, compared to 96.3 percent in March 2014.
Dr Gayatri Amirthalingam, consultant epidemiologist at UKHSA, said: “Whooping cough can affect people of all ages, but for very young children, it can be particularly serious.
“However, vaccinating pregnant women is highly effective in protecting babies from birth until they can receive their own vaccines.
“Parents can also help protect their children by ensuring they receive their vaccinations on time or by catching up on vaccinations as quickly as possible if they have missed one.
“If you’re not sure, check your child’s red book or contact your family doctor’s office.”
The Life-Saving Vaccines You Need at Every Age
EIGHT WEEKS
- 6 in 1 vaccine
- Rotavirus vaccine
- MenB vaccine
12 WEEKS
- 6-in-1 vaccine (2nd dose)
- Pneumococcal vaccine
- Rotavirus vaccine (2nd dose)
16 WEEKS
- 6-in-1 vaccine (3rd dose)
- MenB vaccine (2nd dose)
ONE YEAR
- Hib/MenC vaccine (1st dose)
- MMR vaccine (1st dose)
- Pneumococcal vaccine (2nd dose)
- MenB vaccine (3rd dose)
TWO TO 15 YEARS
- Children’s flu vaccine (every year until children finish the 11th year of secondary school)
THREE YEARS AND FOUR MONTHS
- MMR vaccine (2nd dose)
- 4 in 1 Preschool Booster Vaccine
12 TO 13 YEARS
14 YEARS
- 3-in-1 booster vaccine for teenagers
- MenACWY vaccine
65 YEARS OLD
- Flu vaccine (given every year after turning 65)
- Pneumococcal vaccine
- Shingles vaccine (if you turned 65 on or after September 1, 2023)
70 to 79 YEARS
Source: The NHS
How to deal with whooping cough once you get it
According to the NHS, there is usually no need to see a GP if you have a cough.
But you should rest, drink plenty of fluids and avoid contact with other people.
Painkillers such as paracetamol or ibuprofen can also be taken, as well as hot drinks with lemon and honey and herbal medicines called pelargonium (if they are over 12 years old).
Pharmacists can also advise on the best cough syrups, medicines, sweets and supplements.
You should see your doctor if your cough lasts more than three weeks, if you are losing weight for no reason, or if you have a weakened immune system.
If you or your child has significant breathing problems, seizures or signs of pneumonia, call 999 or visit your nearest emergency department.
Complete List of Whooping Cough Symptoms
Whooping cough (whooping cough) is a bacterial infection of the lungs and breathing tubes.
The first signs of whooping cough are similar to those of a cold, such as a runny nose and sore throat (high temperature is uncommon).
After about a week, you or your child:
- You will have coughing spells that last a few minutes and get worse at night
- May make a “screaming” sound – a wheezing sound between coughs (small babies and some adults may not “scream”)
- May have difficulty breathing after a coughing fit and may turn blue or gray (small babies)
- It can bring up thick mucus, which can make you vomit
- May be very red in the face (more common in adults)
The cough may last for several weeks or months.
Source: SNS
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