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.
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.
While often thought of as a disease in infants, approximately 50% of pertussis cases in Australia each year are in adults.4
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
Practicing good hygiene habits will help you reduce the risk of getting pertussis:
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.
Whooping cough (also called pertussis) is a highly contagious respiratory infection caused by the bacteria Bordetella pertussis. Epidemics in Australia usually occur every 3 to 4 years.4
Whooping cough and its complications can be serious and even life-threatening to babies. About half of babies less than 1 year old who get whooping cough need care in the hospital. Sadly, 1 out of 100 babies hospitalised will die due to complications of whooping cough.5
In adults, whooping cough and complications are usually less severe, although can still result in hospitalisation, time off work and the risk of infecting vulnerable people. Adults account for half of whooping cough cases each year. 2,5
Whooping cough usually begins like a cold. Early symptoms can last for 1 or 2 weeks and may include:
The cough can gradually get 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.2
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.2,5
The severity of symptoms may vary in adults. Scientific studies suggest that 1 in 20 adults with a prolonged cough have whooping cough.7
Complications of whooping cough are usually less serious in adults, especially if you have been vaccinated. In one study, the most common complications reported were:
Anyone can get whooping cough. While it is most dangerous to babies, it can still affect adolescents and adults. It’s important to remember that natural infection does not provide long-term protection and repeat infection can occur.4
Babies who are too young to be fully immunised are at increased risk of whooping cough. Some Australians, due to their age or circumstances, are at an increased risk of contracting the disease and are especially recommended to get vaccinated.1
These people include:
The longer it’s been since you were last vaccinated, the more at risk you can be of contracting the disease if you are exposed to an infected person. As immunity diminishes over time, you can still get whooping cough even if you've been vaccinated previously.4
Talk to your health care practitioner about whooping cough and its prevention today.
The whooping cough vaccine is effective, but protection against whooping cough after vaccination reduces over time.4
If you are unsure whether you or your child needs to be immunised against whooping cough, visit your Healthcare Professional to find out when you were last immunised.
Vaccination against whooping cough is available through the National Immunisation Program for the following groups of people.
Babies and young children:
Adolescents
Adults
Other
Talk to your health care practitioner about whooping cough and its prevention today.
The Australian Immunisation Handbook recommends vaccination for any adults wishing to reduce their likelihood of illness from whooping cough. Vaccination is especially recommended for certain risk groups, or those in contact with risk groups, including1:
Talk to your health care practitioner about whooping cough and its prevention today.
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