The 6 symptoms of deadly whooping cough that have nothing to do with coughing as cases rise across the UK
WHOOPING cough can be easy to recognise — but some symptoms have nothing to do with coughing at all.
Cases of the bacterial infection are on the rise in England and Wales, with around 716 thought to be infected from July to November this year.
This is nearly triple the 217 recorded over the same period in 2022, prompting health officials to urge parents to get their kids vaccinated.
Suzanne Hartwell, of Sandwell Metropolitan Borough Council in the West Midlands — which has seen a surge in cases — said pregnant mums can also protect their unborn babies by getting jabbed at their GP for free.
She said: “It is really worrying to see that whooping cough cases have increased again regionally, especially when this has led to some babies being hospitalised.
“This illness can easily be prevented.
“I would urge everyone to help protect children by getting vaccinated when asked to.”
Whooping cough — known medically as pertussis — is an infection that affects the lungs and breathing tubes.
The bacteria can spread very easily and cause serious problems so it is important children and babies get vaccinated, according to the NHS.
The signs to watch for
Early signs of whooping cough do not necessarily feature either the cough or whooping components of the illness.
Instead, children are likely to suffer similar symptoms to a cold, like a runny nose or sore throat.
A high temperature is not common.
6 symptoms of whooping cough that have nothing to do with coughing
- Runny nose
- Sore throat
- Turning blue
- Vomiting
- Red face
- Seizures
After around a week, the bacteria cause the coughing bouts and whooping sounds that give the illness its name.
The coughing can bring up thick mucus, which can cause children to be sick.
And in adults, it can make people become red-faced.
Children can also suffer breathing difficulties that make their skin change colour to blue or grey, especially if they are very young.
If you or your child’s lips, tongue, face or skin suddenly turns blue or grey, call 999 or go to A&E at once.
You should also do so if you or your child are struggling to breath, have chest pain that is worse when breathing or coughing or are having seizures.
Symptoms can last for several weeks or even months, and you should ask for an urgent GP appointment if your baby is under six months old and has symptoms.
If you or your child has a very bad cough that is getting worse or you’re pregnant or have a weakened immune system and have been in contact with someone with it, you should also ask for an urgent appointment.
The illness can be dangerous, causing issues like dehydration, breathing difficulties, pneumonia and seizures in babies under six months old.
It is less severe in older children and adults but can cause sore ribs, hernias, ear infections and urinary incontinence.