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KFL&A Public Health is urging parents and guardians to keep themselves and their children up to date with the pertussis vaccine after a recent rise in cases both locally in KFL&A and across the province.
Pertussis, also known as whooping cough, is a very contagious infection of the lungs and airways. It is spread easily from an infected person through droplets in the air from coughing and/or sneezing.
Pertussis is most dangerous for infants under the age of one. Many babies who are not yet protected fully from immunization get pertussis from older people who may not be aware they have the illness. About half of babies under the age of one who contract pertussis need to be hospitalized, and about one in four will develop pneumonia.
Early symptoms of pertussis usually happen seven to 10 days after being infected with the bacteria and can include:
- a mild fever
- runny nose
- red watery eyes
- a cough
After one to two weeks, it can lead to serious coughing fits that can last for two to eight weeks, often recognized by the loud “whooping” sound that occurs when the child is inhaling after a coughing spell. The coughing fits may cause difficulty breathing, choking and vomiting.
If you think you or a child may have pertussis, contact a health-care provider. It is very important to avoid contact with vulnerable people such as infants under one year of age or people in their third trimester of pregnancy.
The best way to prevent the spread of pertussis is vaccination. The vaccine is publicly funded and is available for free from your health-care provider.
- Infants, children and teenagers should be vaccinated. The vaccine is usually given at 2, 4, 6 and 18-months of age (DTap-IPV-HiB), followed by boosters at four to six years old (Tdap-IPV) and 14 to 16 years old (Tdap).
- One dose of Tdap vaccine should also be given in every pregnancy to protect the newborn, ideally between 27 and 32 weeks of gestation.
- Adults should also receive a booster (i.e. Tdap) even if they were vaccinated or had pertussis as a child, since immunity can decrease over time.
- Residents requiring immunization should call their primary care provider. If you do not have a primary care provider, you can visit a public health immunization clinic. Book online at Routine immunization clinics - KFL&A Public Health (kflaph.ca) and choose the location nearest you.
Resources
Link to audio of a child with whooping cough.
To learn more about pertussis, visit our Pertussis (Whooping Cough) page.
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For more information, contact: Communications@kflaph.ca
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