Whooping cough infections in London have more than doubled in a fortnight, figures have revealed, as health chiefs urged parents to look out for symptoms in children.
UK Health Security Agency (UKHSA) data showed that 42 notified cases were reported in the week up to January 21, a rise of 147 per cent on those two weeks before. During the same period last year, the capital did not record a single infection.
London has the highest whooping cough cases of any region in the country, according to the figures. Hackney, Ealing and Lambeth were among the boroughs with the highest number of infections.
The data was published as part of the UKHSA's weekly notifications of infectious diseases (NOIDs) report, which tracks suspected cases of infectious diseases that are later confirmed in a laboratory. Confirmed whooping cough cases are expected to rise as test results are reported.
Dr Yvonne Young, regional deputy director at UKHSA London, told the Standard: “Cases of suspected whooping cough have increased recently in London and parents should remain vigilant for signs and symptoms and ensure that their children’s vaccinations are up to date."
She urged parents to ensure their children were vaccinated against the illness to prevent serious complications.
But what is whooping cough, also known as the 100-day cough?
What is the 100-day cough?
The term "100-day cough" typically refers to pertussis, which is commonly known as whooping cough. Pertussis is a highly contagious bacterial infection of the respiratory system caused by Bordetella pertussis bacteria.
The first signs of whooping cough are similar to those of the common cold, and people can suffer symptoms such as a runny nose and sore throat.
After a week a cough will arrive, and coughing bouts can last for minutes at a time, with breathing hard at this time. The cough can be so severe that it leads to vomiting, difficulty breathing, and exhaustion. The name "100-day cough" stems from the prolonged duration of coughing episodes that can persist for weeks to months.
The coughs seem to be worse at night and may sound like a "whoop".
It is especially dangerous for children and young infants who have weaker lung capacity and some children have been known to turn blue while coughing. The cough can lead to serious complications in extreme cases, including pneumonia, seizures, and even death.
How contagious is whooping cough?
It spreads very easily and can sometimes cause serious problems, as mentioned above.
The bacteria that cause whooping cough spread easily from person to person through coughing and sneezing. Some people have mild symptoms and don't know they have whooping cough. However, they can still spread the bacteria that cause it to others, including babies.
A person with whooping cough can pass it to others as soon as they get cold-like symptoms. They can also pass it up to three weeks after they start coughing.
What is the treatment for whooping cough?
Treatment for whooping cough depends on your age and how long and how severely you have been poorly.
The NHS says that hospital treatment is usually needed if you have severe whooping cough, or your baby is under six months old and has whooping cough.
If whooping cough is diagnosed within three weeks of the infection, you'll be given antibiotics to help stop it from spreading to others. However, antibiotics may not reduce symptoms.
If you've had whooping cough for more than three weeks, you're no longer contagious and do not need antibiotics.
Vaccination is the most effective way to prevent pertussis, with the childhood vaccine series including doses of the pertussis vaccine. Booster vaccinations for adolescents and adults are also recommended to maintain immunity.
