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whooping cough
Whooping cough is an infection of the nose and throat and lungs which causes long bursts of coughing. In young children the coughing spell often ends in a whooping noise when the child can finally take a breath in. Children can have several coughing spells each hour, including while they are sleeping. They can also go on having coughing spells for many weeks (up to about three months for some). Older children and adults can have whooping cough without the whooping sound. Immunisation against whooping cough can be very effective in protecting children.
Treatment
If your child has been exposed to whooping
cough, see your doctor, as your child might need an antibiotic to protect him from becoming infected.
Immunisation
Immunisation of babies against whooping
cough protects most children completely, although a small number of immunised children may have a milder illness with whooping cough.
the community who can spread the infection to babies (babies are not protected by antibodies from their mother).
Immunisation is also recommended for: adults before planning a pregnancy parents of newborn babies adults working with young children adults at age 50 years (when combined
tetanus, diphtheria and pertussis (whooping cough) vaccine can be used instead of diphtheria-tetanus).
Question: Does the pertussis part of the vaccine (combined with tetanus, diphtheria, and in South Australia Hepatitis B vaccines) cause reactions such as fever and a sore spot where the injection was given? Answer: The type of pertussis vaccine has been changed recently. Since this new vaccine (a-cellular pertussis) has been used, there have been many fewer children who get a fever or sore injection sites, but they get the same amount of protection.
Question: Do children still need to be immunised against whooping cough? Answer: Yes, there have been regular outbreaks of whooping cough in Australia even in the last few years, and babies in Australia still die from whooping cough. In some countries where many children are not immunised against whooping cough, the numbers of children getting sick (and dying) with whooping cough is much higher than in Australia.
Question: How long does the protection from whooping cough last after immunisation? Answer: For some people, the protection against whooping cough starts to get lower around the age of 12 years. Having a booster around this age or later is not yet being recommended, but it is being considered.
Question: Is it better to wait until my child is a bit older before having the whooping cough immunisation? Answer: No. Waiting until your child is older is not recommended because it is when they are less than 12 months old that babies are most at risk.
Delivering a Healthy WA
Children, Youth and Women's Health Service, reproduced with permission. The South Australian Government does not accept responsibility for the accuracy of this reproduction. The original version is published at http://www.cyh.com Warning This document is published as general information only. You should always consult a healthcare professional for diagnosis and treatment of any health condition or symptoms.
Disclaimer The advice and information contained herein is provided in good faith as a public service. However the accuracy of any statements made is not guaranteed and it is the responsibility of readers to make their own enquiries as to the accuracy, currency and appropriateness of any information or advice provided. Liability for any act or omission occurring in reliance on this document or for any loss, damage or injury occurring as a consequence of such act or omission is expressly disclaimed.