Introduction

Whooping Cough, also known as Pertussis, is a highly contagious infection of the respiratory system. It causes severe coughing bouts that can last for two to three months or more & young children in particular can become very ill, and in rare cases, even prove fatal.

What is whooping cough?

Whooping Cough, also known as Pertussis, is a highly contagious infection of the respiratory system. It causes severe coughing bouts that can last for two to three months or more & young children in particular can become very ill, and in rare cases, even prove fatal.

Who is the service for?

Pregnant women:

The whooping cough vaccine is for pregnant women, to protect the infant from whooping cough from birth until when they receive their own whooping cough vaccine via the National Immunisation Schedule.

Travel precautions:

Vaccines can protect babies & children from whooping cough in their vulnerable early years of life. Pockets of outbreaks can occur and some countries like Australia request evidence of a recent booster vaccine for adults visiting newly born babies.

Whooping cough is highly contagious and infectious from approx. 6 days after becoming infected until 3 weeks after the coughing bouts start. It is therefore recommended not to travel when you are infectious.

This service can also be considered for mothers with infants less than 2 months of age who did not receive the whooping cough vaccine during their pregnancy.

This vaccination can also be provided by the NHS for free. Check with your GP to see if you are eligible for this vaccination.

What are the symptoms of whooping cough?

The initial symptoms of whooping cough are similar to the common cold:

• Runny nose
• Red watery eyes
• Sneezing
• Sore throat
• Mild cough
• Raised temperature
• Irritability

Intense coughing bouts start to develop around a week later. During a coughing spell, the face may turn red and you or your child may gasp for breath – this may cause a ‘whoop’ sound when breathing in, although not everyone will develop this.

Coughing usually produces thick mucus and could also result in vomiting. Infants and young children can also briefly turn blue (cyanosis) if they have trouble breathing.

Is whooping cough contagious?

Whooping cough is very contagious, and usually spreads from person to person when infected water droplets are expelled by coughing and sneezing, or being in close contact for an extended period of time. Those infected with whooping cough are at their most contagious for up to two weeks after they start coughing.

Most babies who get whooping cough are infected by siblings, parents, or caregivers who may not know that they are infected.

What are the side effects of the vaccination?

Very common side effects (1 in 10) of the whooping cough vaccine include:

• Headache
• Fatigued
• Redness, swelling, or pain at the injection site
• Joint swelling or pain
• Fever
• Chills
• Lack of energy
• Nausea

Common (1 in 100) side effects of the whooping cough vaccine include:

• Rash
• Muscle pain
• Abdominal pain, diarrhoea, or vomiting
• Itchiness and hardness around the site of injection

Service Details:

Price: Small fee.

Frequency: When required.