Pregnant women and families with young children are being urged to talk to their GP about the whooping cough vaccination, amid a reported rise in cases.
Whooping cough (also known as the 100-day cough or pertussis) is a bacterial infection that spreads very easily, according to the NHS. People with whooping cough can be contagious for up to three weeks, and, as the infection affects the lungs and breathing tubes, it can sometimes cause serious problems.
Tragically, there have been five infant deaths linked to the infection in the UK between January and March of this year. According to data from the UK Health Security Agency (UKHSA), cases have been rising across England since December 2023, with 2,793 cases recorded so far in 2024.
There are several factors at play, according to UKHSA. "Whooping cough is a cyclical disease that peaks every 3 to 5 years. The last cyclical increase occurred in 2016. However, in common with other diseases, cases fell to very low numbers during the pandemic due to restrictions and public behaviours. A peak year is therefore overdue. The impact of the pandemic also means there is reduced immunity in the population," a dedicated release on the government's website explains.
At the same time, "uptake of vaccinations that protect against whooping cough have fallen in recent years across the country – in both the programme for pregnant women and the infant programme."
As such, doctors are urging people to come forward for their vaccines. Dr Gayatri Amirthalingam, Consultant Epidemiologist at the UK Health Security Agency, explains: "Vaccination remains the best defence against whooping cough and it is vital that pregnant women and young infants receive their vaccines at the right time.
"Pregnant women are offered a whooping cough vaccine in every pregnancy, ideally between 20 and 32 weeks. This passes protection to their baby in the womb so that they are protected from birth in the first months of their life when they are most vulnerable and before they can receive their own vaccines."
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Dr Amirthalingam adds: "All babies are given three doses of the 6 in 1 jab at 8, 12 and 16 weeks of age to protect against whooping cough and other serious diseases such as diphtheria and polio with a pre-school booster offered at 3 years 4 months."
What is whooping cough?
Whooping cough is a bacterial infection that can affect anyone at any age, but young babies face an increased risk when they are too young to be fully protected through vaccination, UKHSA explains. The good news, though, is that the vaccination of pregnant women is over 90% effective in preventing cases in babies.
Whooping cough can be spread by coughing and sneezing, meaning children will need to stay home from nursery or school for some time if they do catch it. Children who haven't been treated should stay home for three weeks from the start of their symptoms, according to official guidance. Meanwhile, children who start antibiotics can usually return after 48 hours.
What are the symptoms of whooping cough?
According to the NHS, whooping cough will present similarly to a cold. Symptoms may include a sore throat and runny nose, though a high temperature is uncommon. Then, after about a week, you may notice other symptoms including coughing bouts that last a few minutes or worsen at night, difficulty breathing after a coughing bout, and thick mucus.
In some cases, people might make a whooping noise as they gasp for air in between breaths, though not everyone experiences this, and young infants may turn blue or grey after a coughing bout. The cough can last for several weeks or even months, according to the NHS.
Is whooping cough the same as the 100-day cough?
To cut a long story short, yes. Whooping cough is often referred to as the 100-day cough because of its duration, UKHSA explains.
As the NHS website explains, in some cases, whooping cough can last for months - and 100 days tallies up to three months. So, the 100 day cough is the same thing as whooping cough, or pertussis, to use its other name.
What should you do if you suspect you have whooping cough?
The NHS says you should call 999 or go to A&E if any of the following applies:
- your or your child's lips, tongue, face or skin suddenly turn blue or grey (on black or brown skin this may be easier to see on the palms of the hands or the soles of the feet)
- you or your child are finding it hard to breathe properly (shallow breathing)
- you or your child have chest pain that's worse when breathing or coughing – this could be a sign of pneumonia
- your child is having seizures (fits)
The NHS says you should call 111 or request an urgent GP appointment (preferably by phone) if any of the following applies:
- your baby is under 6 months old and has symptoms of whooping cough
- you or your child have a very bad cough that is getting worse
- you've been in contact with someone with whooping cough and you're pregnant
- you or your child has been in contact with someone with whooping cough and have a weakened immune system
If you have any concerns, remember you can check symptoms by calling 111 (for children under five) or using 111 online (for children five and over).
How is whooping cough treated?
A medical professional will determine the best course of treatment for you, but the treatment option required will likely depend on the severity of your infection and your age. In some cases, hospital treatment will be needed but other times antibiotics can be taken at home. According to the NHS, you can help to ease symptoms by drinking lots of fluids, getting plenty of rest and taking paracetamol and ibuprofen (if safe for you to do so) to help relieve discomfort.
More advice is available on the NHS website.
This article is not intended to be a substitute for professional medical advice or diagnosis. Always seek the advice of your physician or other qualified health provider with any questions you may have regarding a medical condition
Amber O’Connor is Cosmopolitan UK’s former junior features writer, who covers everything from breaking news, women’s safety and real life features to fitness, travel, and cultural trends. She works on first-person features, reports, and long reads, plus the hottest stories of the day (if you want to know about the latest wellness craze or TikTok trends, she’s your girl). Amber has previously worked as a reporter and a lifestyle writer, with her work appearing in numerous publications, including The Mirror, Red Magazine, Evening Standard, Indy100, and Yahoo News. When she’s not working her way through her TBR list, Amber loves dancing, running, and going on adventures with her dog.
