Whooping cough or pertussis in children and why vaccinate a child against it
Whooping cough, also known as pertussis, is a contagious respiratory disease caused by the bacterium Bordetella pertussis. It spreads rapidly through droplets from coughing or sneezing among people in close contact, making it highly transmissible among children in kindergartens and schools.
What are the symptoms of whooping cough in children?
The classic clinical presentation is most common in preschool and school-age children. It starts like a common cold lasting for a few days, followed by the characteristic stage of the illness: frequent bursts of coughing in a single exhalation, followed by a sudden, loud “whooping” inhalation. This is often accompanied by facial redness or blueness, tearing, and coughing up thick mucus. This intense phase of the illness gradually subsides over 2-4 weeks, with several more weeks needed for the child to fully recover and stop coughing.
A special concern is the infection in infants during the first few months of life. They often do not show the typical severe coughing stage – coughing may or may not be present. Complications are more frequent at this age and can include pneumonia, apnea (a pause in breathing which can be the only sign of the disease), and convulsions, which may require mechanical ventilation and pose a risk of permanent brain damage.
Why vaccinate your child against whooping cough?
The most severe forms of the disease occur in the first few months of life, which is why, according to the regular vaccination schedule, we start vaccinating children against whooping cough from the age of 2 months. This vaccine is part of the so-called “6-in-1” vaccine. Since the immunity provided by the vaccine lasts only 6 to 10 years, it is now recommended that pregnant women receive a booster shot in the third trimester. This is to primarily protect newborns through the transfer of antibodies via the placenta before their first vaccination, and also to protect the mother.
The Whooping Cough Vaccine Is Available at Salvea Polyclinic
Contact us to learn more about the vaccination recommendations against whooping cough and to schedule an appointment where our pediatrician will examine and vaccinate your child.
