Doctor explains treatment for whooping cough on This Morning

Whooping cough, or the 100 day cough, is a highly contagious bacterial infection which affects the lungs and surrounding breathing tubes. It is particularly dangerous to young children and babies, and can go on to cause serious symptoms such as pneumonia and seizures.

In extreme cases it can even prove fatal. As reported, health officials have issued a warning about the illness, after rates tripled in England and Wales this year.

Between July and November there were 716 known cases. During the same period in 2022 there were 217 cases, and in 2021 there were 213.

Therefore, it is important to be aware of any of the symptoms of infection. This could ensure early treatment, as well as taking steps to prevent others getting infected.

Due to the nature of the illness, many of the symptoms affect the lungs and throat. But in its earliest stages, the symptoms could be easily missed.

READ MORE ‘Avoid hugging and kissing’ at Christmas to prevent spread of 100 day cough

Pharmacist for NowPatient, Navin Khosla, spoke with Express.co.uk about the initial signs of whooping cough to be wary of.

He said they are similar to those of a common cold and include:

• Runny nose
• Sore throat
• Blocked nose.

However, after seven days these can “intensity” and become some of the symptoms you might expect from the infection, such as coughing bouts in the night and difficulty breathing.

“In most cases, whooping cough will present symptoms very similar to a common cold, such as a runny nose and a sore throat, but these symptoms will intensify over the course of a week,” Navin said.

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“Around seven days after being infected with whooping cough, longer coughing bouts will take hold and are most common during the night.

“As well as this, the intensity of the coughing bouts can cause breathing difficulties and produce thick mucus.”

He also warned that a tell-tale sign of infection is a “whoop” sound or gasp for breath heard between coughs.

If you or your child experiences symptoms you should speak to your GP, he said.

Whooping cough was relatively common in the UK until the introduction of a vaccine in the 1950s.

Getting vaccinated is still the best protection against the illness.

Navin said: “For many years, whooping cough has been known as an infection which mainly affects children who haven’t been vaccinated and although cases are still mostly amongst children, whooping cough can infect adults who have been vaccinated, but the protection from the vaccine has started to fade.

“The best protection against whooping cough is to have children vaccinated and for adults to accept booster vaccines where applicable.

“However, if you do become infected and experience symptoms including vomiting, difficulty breathing and you notice your face turning red or blue, seek medical attention.

“In most cases, a course of antibiotics will be prescribed by your GP, but the symptoms could last several weeks or months.”

According to the NHS, babies with whooping cough can also experience dehydration, breathing, difficulties, pneumonia and seizures (fits).

In older children and adults it might cause sore ribs, a hernia, middle ear infections and urine leaking out when you cough (urinary incontinence).

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