Page last updated
19 March 2024
What you need to know about whooping cough
Whooping cough is widespread in Australia and is one of the least controlled vaccine-preventable diseases. It is a highly contagious and affects people of all ages.1
Below are some simple reasons to talk to your healthcare practitioner about pertussis, commonly known as whooping cough.
KNOW THE IMPACT
While often thought of as a disease in infants, approximately 50% of pertussis cases in Australia each year are in adults.4
- Whooping cough can cause uncontrollable, severe and prolonged coughing attacks. Early symptoms can include a blocked or runny nose, sneezing, mild fever and cough. 2-4
- Pertussis transmission most commonly occurs person-to-person through contact with respiratory droplets or by contact with airborne droplets of respiratory secretions. 5
- One infected person can transmit whooping cough to as many as 5 unvaccinated people.2
KNOW THE RISKS
Infants who are too young to be fully immunized are at greatest risk of being hospitalized with pertussis.1
Adults are more likely to be infected with pertussis if you have a chronic lung conditions like asthma or COPD. 13-15
- Adults with asthma have a 4x greater risk of whooping cough compared with people without asthma.15,16^
- Adults with COPD have a 3.5x greater risk of whooping cough compared with those without COPD. 14,16^
- People with lung conditions who contracted pertussis had to increase the use of their asthma or COPD medications*17
HELP PROTECT YOURSELF & THOSE AROUND YOU
Practicing good hygiene habits will help you reduce the risk of getting pertussis:
- Wash your hands often with soap and water for at least 20 seconds
- Use hand sanitiser if soap and water are not available
- Avoid people who are sick or unwell
In addition, there are vaccines available for whooping cough. In Australia, the vaccination is given free via the National Immunisation Program to infants, children, adolescents and pregnant women. However the vaccine does not protect you for life and boosters may be required. The vaccine is given as a combination vaccine which protects against other diseases as well. 11
Talk to your health care practitioner about whooping cough and its prevention today.