Cases of whooping cough continue to increase in the region, to the point where schools have sent parents a letter to inform them of the situation.
Since the start of the school year, around a hundred new cases have been recorded by the Gaspésie-Îles-de-la-Madeleine Public Health Department.
“The whooping cough started at the beginning of the summer. We have a peak which is not worse in recent weeks. The bacteria circulates a lot in the region,” explains medical advisor Jean-François Lefebvre, who recalls that these are the reported cases.
“The majority of people will have mild symptoms which will not necessarily require consultation. “250 reported and diagnosed cases may not seem like much, but it’s a lot because people may have had whooping cough without knowing it,” explains the specialist.
Difficult to extrapolate data to the entire population.
“The important thing is to consider that the bacteria has been there since the beginning of summer. 2024 is a very big year. When you cough, when you blow your nose, you have to make sure to avoid transmitting it,” he notes.
It is essential to protect young babies.
“Below a year, below six months and three months, it can cause more serious complications. If you have the classic version, you can cough a lot and have coughing fits for a long time, but it is not dangerous. On the other hand, in babies, it can be,” warns Dr. Lefebvre.
Hence the importance for pregnant women to be vaccinated to ensure protection for their unborn child.
Babies are vaccinated from the age of two months against the bacteria.
“Vaccinating pregnant women and babies is the best way to protect them,” says the specialist.
It’s difficult to tell the difference at first between the flu, COVID-19 or whooping cough.
“It’s difficult. These are all illnesses that will cause coughing and can give symptoms that resemble a cold. In its more classic phase of whooping cough, after a week, you will have major coughing fits which can last several weeks. Between bouts, you may not have any symptoms and suddenly the bout starts again. It’s the classic case of whooping cough,” explains the doctor.
Often, it is not important to know the type of illness.
The important thing is to adopt appropriate hygiene measures.
“Someone who does not feel well compared to a normal cold, has difficulty breathing or has a fever, we can consult. In the case of a baby, as soon as he seems less well, you should consult quickly,” strongly suggests Dr. Lefebvre.
An antibiotic can be given at the first symptoms.
“When the cough is triggered, the antibiotic rarely reduces the symptoms, but can reduce the duration during which the disease can be transmitted. In certain situations, it may be relevant to have an antibiotic,” mentions the doctor.
He suggests consulting when a young baby may have been in contact with the bacteria.
