Whooping cough is a highly contagious respiratory infection that can be fatal for young infants. France has experienced an increase in the number of whooping cough cases since the start of 2024, with a peak in contamination recorded this summer. Faced with this resurgence, concern is growing and many parents are seeking to know more about this disease. How is it that whooping cough is back even though children are vaccinated? How to recognize whooping cough? What are the symptoms associated with the infection? How to avoid catching it? We answer all your questions.
Is the whooping cough vaccine effective?
Vaccination against whooping cough does not confer lifelong immunity. It protects against infection for a few years, but the duration of this protection varies depending on the level of immunity of each person.
Compulsory since 2018 for infants, vaccination is recommended to avoid being infected, and is particularly recommended for pregnant women who can transmit the antibodies to their baby. The vaccination booster must be respected to maximize the effectiveness of the vaccine. So be sure to monitor your vaccination and do not hesitate to contact an establishment or professional in the Elsan Care network if you wish to be vaccinated.
Whooping cough infection: who are at risk?
Whooping cough is a concern because it is an extremely contagious and potentially fatal disease in infants. In France, it is also one of the leading causes of death in babies under two months. If a child under three months old is affected by whooping cough, he will be systematically hospitalized to be monitored and cared for by health professionals. This bacterial infection can, in fact, lead to pneumonia, respiratory distress or even heart abnormalities in newborns. The main challenge is therefore to avoid contamination of babies at all costs.
What are the main symptoms of whooping cough?
A pertussis infection begins silently with an incubation phase. During this period, there may be a simple runny nose.
It’s usually the persistent cough that follows that should alert you. If it lasts more than seven days, it is, in fact, suggestive of whooping cough. It is often accompanied by episodes of coughing fits without feverespecially at night. These whooping coughing fits are quite impressive and can cause redness of the eyes and sometimes difficulty breathing, accompanied by a feeling of suffocation.
Whooping cough diagnosis: how to know?
If you have the slightest doubt, do not wait to consult a doctor. Also remember to wear a mask toimitate the risk of contamination those around you, medical personnel and everyone you come into contact with. The doctor will carry out a clinical examination and may refer you to a laboratory for a screening test (nasal swab). In the event of a positive result, you will be offered antibiotic treatment, accompanied by isolation measures to reduce contagiousness and protect others.
Preventing whooping cough: what actions should you take?
Whooping cough is transmitted by airmainly through droplets emitted by an infected person. Very contagious, it spreads quickly in communities and within homes where there are young children.
It is therefore important to prevent its appearance by adopting simple actions. THE vaccine remains the best protection against whooping cough, thus preventing both infection and its transmission.
The wearing a mask is also recommended when you go to the doctor.
If someone you know coughs, avoid close, lasting contact. As for contact with infants, they must be limited in the event of illness or virus.
It is by applying these preventive measures that we can limit the spread of this disease.
