Cases of Whooping Cough Surge Across Australia
-
Loading... - Rebecca Harris
- 01 Jul 2024
- 229 Views
- 0 Like
- 0 Comment
Australia is on the brink of a whooping cough epidemic, with cases surging past 11,000 in the past six months, a stark increase from 2,447 cases in all of last year. This highly infectious disease is particularly dangerous for babies under six months of age, who are too young to be immunized.
For adults, whooping cough can initially resemble a severe cold or flu, increasing the risk of spreading the disease within the community. Previous epidemics have revealed the emergence of "smarter" strains of the disease that can evade vaccines.
Whooping cough begins with typical cold and flu symptoms such as a runny nose, sneezing, mild cough, and fever. In the early stages, it is difficult to distinguish from other respiratory illnesses. However, after one to two weeks, coughing fits can become more frequent and severe, potentially causing vomiting or fracturing ribs. These coughing fits can last up to 12 weeks, earning the disease the nickname "100-day cough."
Older children and adults might not exhibit the characteristic whooping noise, which occurs when gasping for air. The disease is highly contagious and can be spread easily by adults who are unaware they have it.
Newborns might not develop the cough but may experience breathing pauses and turn blue. Additionally, some babies may have difficulty feeding and can choke during coughing spells. People over 65 are also at higher risk of severe cases of the disease.
Health authorities are urging the public to be vigilant, especially around vulnerable populations like infants and the elderly, to prevent the spread of whooping cough.
