Pregnant women are being urged to get vaccinated as England and Wales experiences a concerning surge in whooping cough cases.
Whooping cough is a bacterial infection affecting the lungs, and it spreads rapidly. It causes prolonged coughing fits and gets its name as it causes people to make “whoop” noises while gasping for air.
There has been a staggering 250 percent increase in cases of whooping cough from July to November 2023 compared to the same period in 2022. That five month period this year saw 716 suspected cases.
Local authorities have been told to notify the UK Health Security Agency as soon as a patient comes to them displaying signs of the illness.
Staying up to date on vaccines is key to minimising the risk and spread of whooping cough, especially for pregnant women, as the infection affected thousands of people before vaccines were available.
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Whooping cough can be particularly harmful to babies and children, but it is easily preventable.
UKHSA Consultant Epidemiologist Dr Gayatri Amirthalingam said the rising number of cases in the wake of the Covid pandemic is “expected” as the virus decreased immunity levels. He urged everybody to get vaccinated as the simple jab can provide “life-long protection”.
He said: “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. 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.”
The NHS has warned people that symptoms of whooping cough in children typically show up after seven days.
The symptoms include nasal congestion, coughing, red, watery eyes, a runny rose, and a fever. They might experience coughing fits that last for a few minutes and make a “whoop” noise as they gasp for air.
However, young babies and some adults may not make this noise. Instead, they might struggle with breathing and turn blue or grey, this is especially common in young babies, and bring up thick mucus that can cause vomiting. It is more common for adults’ faces to turn very red with whooping cough.
Pregnant women and those with babies under six months have been advised to seek urgent medical care if they or their child have been in contact with someone with whooping cough. This is especially important for those with weakened immune systems.