Health
Whooping cough
Did you know whooping cough affects people of all ages. It can be especially serious for babies and can be a life threatening infection.
Know the symptoms
Whooping cough usually begins like a cold with a blocked or runny nose, tiredness, mild fever and a cough.
The cough gets worse and severe bouts of uncontrollable coughing can develop. Coughing bouts can be followed by vomiting, choking or taking a big gasping breath which causes a "whooping" sound. The cough can last for many weeks and can be worse at night.
Some newborns may not cough at all but they can stop breathing and turn blue. Some babies have difficulties feeding and can choke or gag.
Older children and adults may just have a cough that lasts for many weeks. They may not have the whoop.
How is it spread?
Whooping cough is spread when an infectious person coughs bacteria into the air which can be inhaled by people nearby. If they are not treated early, people with whooping cough are infectious in the first three weeks of their illness.
How is it prevented?
Whooping cough vaccines provide good protection from infection but immunity fades which means that boosters are needed.
Check out more information, including if you are due for a booster at: https://www.health.nsw.gov.au/.../whoo.../Pages/default.aspx