SWPH warns of whooping cough on the rise – London News Today

Southwestern Public Health (SWPH) is urging anyone with a cough that lasts longer than a week to get checked out by their doctor.

According to SWPH, pertussis is on the rise in the region. The illness, also known as whooping cough, was a major cause of child mortality in the 20th century, but a vaccine greatly reduced the number of cases and the chances of death in the last few decades.

The recognizable ‘whooping’ sound made by inhaling after a coughing spell is what gave the illness it’s more commonly known name.

“Staying up to date with vaccinations helps protect your child and those around them against pertussis as well as other vaccine preventable diseases such as measles, mumps, and rubella,” said Dr. Ninh Tran, SWPH’s Medical Officer of Health. “Untreated pertussis in infants can lead to hospitalization, brain damage, and death.”

Symptoms of pertussis begin with a runny nose or nasal congestion, sneezing, mild cough, and a mild fever. The cough, which can last anywhere from 2-8 weeks, gets progressively worse and could lead to vomiting or trouble breathing.

Whooping cough is treatable through antibiotics and is no longer spreadable after five days of treatment.

Pregnant individuals are recommended to be vaccinated with every pregnancy between 27-32 weeks to protect their infants who are most at risk of serious infection from pertussis.

This vaccination can be booked online at www.swpublichealth.ca/booking.