Whooping Cough: What to Watch out for

A baby coughing with every breath is a distressing sound for any parent.

Whooping cough is on the rise in Victoria, prompting health officials to remind parents of the continuing importance of vaccination.

Victoria’s chief health officer, Dr John Carnie, said it is important Victorians are aware of the dangers of whooping cough and the advantages of immunisation against this infectious disease.

“Immunisation is the best and safest way for parents to protect their children against this and other infectious diseases for which a vaccine is available,” Dr Carnie said.

“Whooping cough is often a distressing illness causing bouts of coughing lasting a few months. In some cases it can cause serious illness, and is particularly dangerous in children under one year of age.”

Whooping cough, caused by the bacterium Bordetella pertussis, is an infection of the respiratory system. The bacterium enters the lining of the breathing passages, causing inflammation and narrowing the airways. The disease starts out with symptoms like a common cold – runny nose, sneezing, red and watery eyes, mild fever, and a dry cough – that last for one to two weeks.

If you're worried that your child's cold is something more serious, here are some signs to watch for:

• a dry cough that becomes wet, and may include coughing up stringy mucus
• coughing spells that last for as long as a minute, with deep inhalations between coughs
• signs of shortness of breath, including a bluish tint around the mouth and fingertips
• a cough that includes a "whooping" sound
• teary eyes, drooling or vomiting following a coughing spell.

Whooping cough is highly contagious, so if your child has been diagnosed with this disease there are steps you can take to help prevent the spread of infection:

• Avoid exposure to other family members by isolating the infected person for the first five days.
• Wash your hands frequently – the bacteria that causes whooping cough is easily transmitted through contact.
• Dehydration is a common complication of whooping cough, so give your child plenty of fluids. Juice, water and soup are great ways to replenish fluids and provide nutrients.

The pertussis vaccine is provided free to all Victorian children via general practitioners and local government immunisation services. For new parents and other carers the vaccine must be purchased.

For more information, visit www.health.vic.gov.au