Advertisement

Whooping cough: What you need to know

Whooping cough: What you need to know

Recent news of a whooping cough outbreak in southern Alberta has left many parents wondering how they can protect their families.

While it's true that fewer children are being vaccinated for the disease due to an anti-vaccine movement among parents, it is also true that children who were once vaccinated against whooping cough as a baby may have lost their immunity.

For this reason, it is extra important to stay alert for signs of the disease in your home and community to stop a potential outbreak before it starts. If left untreated, whooping cough, also known as pertussis, can result in brain damage and even death.

What is whooping cough and how can you catch it?

Whooping cough is a highly contagious bacterial infection of the lining of the respiratory tract that can be passed through the air when an infected person coughs or sneezes. It mostly affects babies six months old or younger, and children aged 11-18 whose immunity has started to fade or who were never immunized to begin with.

Also see: Is infant male circumcision the new vaccine debate?

How to prevent getting whooping cough?

One of the best-known ways to prevent whooping cough is through an up-to-date vaccine -- DTaP for infants and children and Tdap for pre-teens, teens and adults. While it is possible for vaccinated individuals to contract the disease, their symptoms are likely to be less severe. If you have an infant in your home, doctors recommend all teens and adult family members receive a 'booster' shot.

What are the symptoms of whooping cough?

Whooping cough often starts off the same as a common cold -- with a runny nose, congestion, sneezing, fever and cough. It is distinguished from other viruses by its long duration (up to 10 weeks) and the unique "whooping" sound that the cough makes. After about two weeks, the cough develops into a persistent series of coughing fits, characterized by a wheezing sound as the person inhales.

Also see: Family cuts sugar from their diet for entire year

How to treat whooping cough?

Whooping cough is treated with a round of antibiotics, usually taken for two weeks, to lessen the duration and severity of symptoms. It is important that an infected person stay home because of the highly contagious nature of the disease. Some children with whooping cough may need to be hospitalized if they are at an increased risk of developing secondary infections, such as pneumonia.