Whooping cough, also known as “pertussis” is a contagious respiratory disease that is caused by B. pertussis and can prevent with the help of vaccination. However despite this fact there has been an alarming rise in cases within recent years throughout England which raises questions regarding immunization schemes effectiveness public knowledge levels and medical facilities organization. We will be looking at what causes them which symptoms they have how we can stop them recurring what this means for society as a whole in our next blog post.
What is whooping cough?
It is an illness caused mainly by Bordetella pertussis bacteria; but it also spreads through respiratory secretions that are released when someone coughs or sneezes .Infection mostly affects the respiratory system, causing severe coughing fits that can be accompanied by a distinctive “whooping” sound when they try to breathe after coughing.
The Comeback in the UK
Despite availability of vaccines against whooping cough, reported cases have increased in the UK over the years. This has left health authorities perplexed and raised public concerns. Some factors may include:
Declining Immunity: Vaccination-induced or acquired immunity may wane with time thereby leaving exposed persons vulnerable for either being re-infected or infecting others.
Insufficient Vaccine Coverage: Although vaccinating constitutes one of the best strategies for preventing whooping cough, incomplete vaccine coverage and vaccine hesitancy could make certain communities more susceptible to this disease.
Bacterial Evolution: Over time, Bordetella pertussis, similar to many other bacteria, can change. Genetic changes within the bacterium might affect available vaccines’ efficacy or virulence increase.
Diagnostic Dilemmas: Accurate would diagnosis of whooping cough is difficult especially during early stages as its symptoms are similar to those of other respiratory infections. More sensitive diagnostic methods and increased awareness among healthcare workers hopefully result in more accurate diagnostics and timely treatment
I. SYMPTOMS AND COMPLICATIONS
The symptoms of pertussis are usually divided into stages and at first can be similar to a common cold with sneezing, mild cough and a runny nose. Cough becomes more severe as the illness progresses leading to intense fits of violent coughing. These may be tiring and cause vomiting or difficulty in breathing. In severe cases, complications such as pneumonia, seizures or brain damage may occur especially in infants and young children.
II. PREVENTION STRATEGIES
Vaccination is still the mainstay for prevention against whooping cough. In the UK, pertussis vaccine is included in the routine childhood immunization schedule usually given as part of the 6-in-1 vaccine at 8, 12 and 16 weeks old with a booster dose around 3 years and preschool booster at age four years old (Barnett et al., 2017). Additionally, each pregnant woman should receive it during every pregnancy to protect her infant during their early months of life when they are most susceptible to infection.
Besides vaccination, other preventive measures that can minimize spread include good respiratory hygiene practices like covering mouth while coughing or sneezing and staying home while sick.
III. SOCIETAL IMPACT
The reemergence of pertussis in the UK comes with major societal implications; this goes further than individual suffering caused by disease such as deaths among infants.
Conclusion
In conclusion, the recent increase in whooping cough cases is a worrying development highlighting the importance of vaccination and public health surveillance. Though vaccines have significantly diminished whooping cough rates, maintaining high coverage rates through appropriate responses to changing infectious diseases is vital for preventing further outbreaks. This way, doctors, politicians and community members can collaborate and reduce the repercussions of pertussis on people’s lives and society as a whole