Whooping cough

Whooping cough (pertussis) is a serious, contagious, respiratory infection caused by the bacterium Bordetella pertussis.

The disease begins like a cold and then the characteristic cough develops.

This cough may last up to three months, even after antibiotic treatment is completed and the person is no longer infectious.

The 'whoop' (which is not always obvious) is due to a deep breath at the end of a bout of coughing. Vomiting after coughing is common.

Whooping cough is particularly dangerous for babies less than six months of age.

They are affected more seriously by the disease than older children or adults, and are more likely to develop complications.

One in every 200 babies who contract whooping cough will die.

Immunisation is the best way to reduce the risk of whooping cough.

Read more...https://www.betterhealth.vic.gov.au/health/conditionsandtreatments/whooping-cough