Whooping cough
Whooping cough is a respiratory infection (infection of the lungs) that causes coughing. The coughing can occur in long spells, and often ends with a high-pitched 'whoop' sound when the child breathes in. Whooping cough is caused by a bacteria called Bordetella pertussis and is also known as pertussis.
Whooping cough is extremely contagious. It is particularly serious in babies under six months of age, who are at risk of severe complications and will usually need to be admitted to hospital. Children and adults can also get whooping cough, but are unlikely to need hospitalisation. Many babies who get whooping cough catch it from older children or adults who might not even know they have the infection.
Signs and symptoms of whooping cough
1. Whooping cough usually starts with cold-like symptoms, such as a runny nose and dry cough, which last for about one week.
2. After that, a more definite cough develops, which may last for 10 weeks or more. The cough comes in long spells and often ends with a high-pitched 'whoop' sound when the child breathes in.
3. Some children cough so much they vomit afterwards.
4. Children are usually well between coughing spells.
5. Babies under six months of age may have pauses in breathing (called apnoeas) instead of a cough.
6. In more severe cases, babies and children may have problems catching their breath after a coughing spell.
7. Other infections such as pneumonia (chest infection) and middle ear infections are common while ch
