What’s the truth about whooping cough (pertussis)?
Whooping cough is highly contagious.
True! This bacterial infection of the lungs and airways can be passed from person to person through coughing and sneezing.
Early symptoms are often similar to a common cold.
True! They include a runny nose, watering eyes, sore throat and a dry, irritating cough.
Adults can’t be affected.
False! They can, but it often goes unrecognised. Mostly infants are affected, and are more at risk of complications, even death.
There’s no way of protecting a newborn baby from whooping cough.
False! The way to help protect them is for pregnant women between 28 and 38 weeks to have a vaccine.