22/08/2024
The best protection against whooping cough is vaccination, which prevents most cases of serious illness, and reduces the spread in the community.
If you’re expecting a new baby in the family, read on. Whooping cough is serious, and on the rise.
What is whooping cough? Whooping cough (also called pertussis) is a serious and highly contagious respiratory illness affecting the chest. The initial symptoms of whooping cough resemble other cold and flu-like symptoms such as cough, runny nose, sneezing, and fever.
The cough usually gets worse and can cause uncontrollable coughing, creating a “whooping” sound. It can last for many weeks and be worse at night. Whooping cough can be life threatening for babies and infants.
Speak to your GP or midwife about vaccination to keep you and your baby safe.
For more information about whooping cough visit: www.health.nsw.gov.au/immunisation/Pages/wc-newborns.aspx