Pertussis vaccine
Pertussis Vaccine in East-sussex at our pharmacy clinic
Pertussis Vaccine Price in East-sussex at our travel clinic
What is Whooping cough (Pertusis)
Whooping cough (pertussis) is an infection of the lungs and breathing tubes. It spreads very easily and can be serious. It’s important for babies, children and anyone who’s pregnant to get vaccinated against it.
Check if you or your child has whooping cough (Pertusis)
The first signs of whooping cough are similar to a cold, such as a runny nose and sore throat (a high temperature is uncommon).
After about a week, you or your child:
- will get coughing bouts that last for a few minutes and are worse at night
- may make a “whoop” sound – a gasp for breath between coughs (young babies and some adults may not “whoop”)
- may have difficulty breathing after a coughing bout and may turn blue or grey (young infants)
- may bring up a thick mucus, which can make you vomit
- may become very red in the face (more common in adults)
The cough may last for several weeks or months.
Whooping cough can be dangerous (Pertusis)
Babies under 12 months old with whooping cough have an increased chance of having problems such as:
- dehydration
- breathing difficulties
- pneumonia
- seizures (fits)
Whooping cough is less severe in older children and adults but coughing may cause problems including:
- sore ribs
- hernia
- middle ear infections
- pee leaking out when you cough (urinary incontinence)
Treatment for whooping cough (Pertusis)
Treatment for whooping cough depends on your age and how long you’ve had the infection.
Hospital treatment is usually needed if you have severe whooping cough, or your baby is under 6 months old and has whooping cough.
If whooping cough is diagnosed within 2 weeks of your cough starting, you’ll be given antibiotics to help stop it spreading to others.
Some healthcare and nursery workers may be given antibiotics within 3 weeks of the cough starting.
Antibiotics may not reduce symptoms.