Whooping cough cases are surging. These are the facts
Health authorities are issuing warnings as whooping cough infections spike across the country.
Known medically as pertussis, whooping cough is a respiratory illness characterised by severe coughing fits that can lead to complications such as pneumonia, seizures and even death.
Health experts say 2024 is on track to become the worst year for the disease since 2016, with more than 13,000 cases already reported, compared to 2477 across Australia in the whole of last year.
Queensland and New South Wales have recorded the highest number of cases.
What is whooping cough and what’s causing the increase?
Whooping cough is a highly contagious disease that spreads through airborne droplets when an infected person coughs or sneezes.
Caused by the bacteria Bordetella pertussis, it’s also known as the 100-day cough.
“We typically experience outbreaks every three to four years due to waning immunity when the disease isn’t circulating,” says National Centre for Immunisation Research Associate Professor Frank Beard.
“The Covid-19 pandemic and preventive measures such as border closures, social distancing and mask-wearing prevented the surge in cases we might have anticipated in 2020, which is why we’re seeing it now.”
What are the symptoms of whooping cough?
“Pertussis usually begins with cold-like symptoms including a runny nose, sneezing, mild dry cough and mild fever, so can feel similar to a cold,” Assoc Prof Beard explains.
“After a week or two, the cold symptoms get better but the cough gets worse and often comes in long, uncontrollable bursts – spasms of coughing where you may have to gasp or ‘whoop’ for breath, hence the name.
“It can take weeks and even months for the cough to go away.”
What are the complications?
Whooping cough can lead to serious health problems including vomiting, fainting, broken ribs, poor bladder control and in rare cases – mainly in babies under six months – seizures, brain damage and even death.
“Babies might not even have a cough but they can have episodes of experiencing pauses in their breathing and may turn blue,” says Assoc Prof Beard.
Who’s at risk?
While it can affect people of all ages, pertussis is particularly dangerous for infants and young children, says microbiologist Dr Laurence Luu, from the University of Technology Sydney.
“The disease is most dangerous for infants under six months who haven’t had the chance to be fully immunised, with about one in three having to be hospitalised,” he says.
“People who aren’t up to date with the recommended vaccinations and booster doses are also more at risk.’
What if I suspect I have whooping cough?
Because it’s so highly contagious it’s important to get to your doctor early to get tested if you have been exposed to someone with pertussis and have symptoms, says Dr Luu.
“It’s caused by a bacterium unlike cold and flu, so can be treated with antibiotics, but they need to be taken early – they’re more effective if taken in the first week or two,” he says.
“It can be tricky because early symptoms are very similar to a cold. If you’re worried you have it, wear a mask and isolate until you get tested.
“Recommendations are that you can head out again in public five days after beginning antibiotics.”
How can I protect against whooping cough?
The best protection against whooping cough is vaccination, the experts say.
The Australian National Immunisation Program (NIP) provides whooping cough vaccination for infants, young children and through state and territory school vaccination programs.
Since July 2018, the NIP also provides vaccination for pregnant women during each pregnancy, to help protect newborns until they are old enough to be vaccinated.
For more information on vaccines, see here.
More on health:
- Is your child at risk for RSV?
- How to know if a barking cough is croup
- Health issues you need to watch for in winter
- Why your family needs their flu shot – especially the kids
Written by Liz McGrath.
