Pertussis, or most commonly known as whooping cough is a widespread infection of the respiratory disease.
This infection mainly affects babies younger than six months old.
Kids 11 to 18 years old whose immunity has started to fade can also be affected by this infection.
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Cases of pertussis spiked in 2018 and 2019, with reported cases of the years being 892 and 915, respectively.
The cases started to drop in the next three years and it has seemed to be high again this year.
As of 23 August 2023, there has been 343 recorded cases of pertussis.
And out of the 343 cases, there has been 24 deaths this year. This is a scary figure to be reporting.
Hence, we are here today to raise awareness.
So, here’s all you need to know about pertussis (also known as whooping cough).
What Is Pertussis
Pertussis or whooping cough. is an infection of the respiratory system caused by Bordetella pertussis bacteria.
Whooping cough causes severe coughing spells, which can sometimes end in a ‘whooping’ sound when the child breathes in.
Whooping cough is very contagious.
The bacteria spreads through tiny drops of fluid from an infected person’s nose or mouth. This also means that kissing a baby on the mouth is strictly forbidden.
Dr Farhan Rusli, the Public Health Medicine Specialist and Selangor’s Public Health Advisory Council said that every person has the potential to become carriers of the pertussis bacteria even if they don’t show any symptoms.
Dr Farhan also mentioned that the case of whopping coughs should not be taken lightly.
This is as there has been some cases where whooping coughs didn’t show any symptoms.
There have also been cases where the baby that was infected had difficulty breathing and ribs fractured due to too much pressure in the chest.
These bacteria can also become airborne when the person sneezes, coughs or laughs.
Other people can get infected by inhaling the drops or getting the drops on their hands and proceed to touch their mouths and noses.
The bacteria’s incubation period is usually seven to ten days, but it can go as long as 21 days.
Pertussis usually causes cold symptoms that lasts one to two weeks, followed by up to three months of severe coughing.
The last stage consists of a few more weeks of recovery. In some kids, the recovery period can last for a few months.
Symptoms of Pertussis
Some might confuse pertussis with common cold because of its early symptoms, that includes:
- runny nose
- sneezing
- mild cough
- low-grade fever
However, after one to weeks, the dry and irritating cough changes into coughing spells that can last more than a minute.
A child’s face might turn red or purple during a coughing spell. After the spell, the child might make the whooping sound when breathing in or they might even vomit.
In babies, during the coughing spells, they might look like they’re gasping for air, red in the face and can actually stop breathing or apnoea.
Adults and teens have even milder symptoms than kids and babies.
You should call a doctor if you suspect your child has pertussis.
Whooping cough is diagnosed with the doctor taking the medical history and do an exam.
Doctors might also take nose and throat mucus samples to be checked in a lab.
Blood tests and chest x-rays might also be conducted as part of the examination.
How Pertussis Is Treated
Usually, the doctors would treat it with antibiotics to shorten the length of infection before the coughing spells begin.
However, antibiotics can still be prescribed if the coughing spell starts, as they can stop the infection from spreading to others.
Sometimes, kids with this infection need care in the hospital.
Babies and younger children are more likely to be hospitalised because they’re at a greater risk for other complications like pneumonia, apnoea, encephalopathy and even death.
If kids are hospitalised for pertussis, they may need suctioning to clear the airways.
They will be monitored and they’ll get oxygen if needed.
Whooping Cough Preventions
There are a few prevention steps someone can take to prevent whooping coughs and that includes:
1. DTaP Vaccine
DTaP (diphtheria, tetanus, acellular pertussis) vaccines are given three times and a booster one time.
The Health Ministry shared an immunisation schedule for when a baby should be vaccinated.
From the schedule, babies should be given the DTaP vaccine when they are:
- two months old
- three months old
- five months old
A baby should also be given a booster shot when they are 18 months old.
2. Tdap Vaccine
The difference between the Tdap and DTaP is that the concentration on diphtheria and pertussis are lower.
It is also advised that this vaccine is given to adults and teens, especially pregnant mothers in their second and third trimester to protect newborn before the babies are given the DTaP vaccination at two months old.
Tdap vaccines will be freely given to pregnant mothers in their second to third trimester starting from 2024.
3. Antibiotics
If you suspect someone close to you have whooping coughs, ask them to get antibiotics from a doctor to prevent the spread of the disease.
Your child might need to get another booster shot if your child hasn’t had all three primary DTaP shots and has been exposed to someone with whooping coughs.
However, antibiotics kills the bacteria but does not combat toxin, said Prof. Dr Sharifa Ezat Wan Puteh, UKM’s public health expert.
A person with pertussis would still suffer for six to ten weeks before recovery.
Prevent Before It Gets Worse
Whooping cough can be very dangerous for kids, especially those that are younger as it might cause some other issues as mentioned.
If you suspect your child has it, get them to a doctor immediately and wait for further instruction.
If your child hasn’t been vaccinated, then it would be advisable to go to a clinic to ensure their protection.
Remember parents, prevention is always better than cure.
Let’s all keep our loved ones safe and healthy!
Disclaimer: The information provided in this article is for informational purposes only and should not be considered as medical advice from Motherhood. For any health-related concerns, it is advisable to consult with a qualified healthcare professional or medical practitioner.
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