The illness progresses through three stages, the first being largely similar to a common cold with symptoms such as a runny nose, sore eyes and sneezing. After two weeks, infected individuals begin to develop bouts of intense coughing which can last for several minutes, sometimes followed by an audible whoop or gasp for breath between coughs. Young children may turn blue or grey due to difficulty breathing while adults might become red in the face.
Sufferers can then be left with a chronic cough which remains for several weeks.
Debar recommends that anyone with a persistent cough which has lasted for more than two weeks, should see a doctor.
“Particularly if you also have symptoms like lethargy and fever, or you’ve been in contact with somebody with whooping cough, then definitely seek medical attention,” she says. “Without treatment, people are infectious for three weeks, but with antibiotics, you’re not infectious after five days.”
How serious is whooping cough?
The illness is most dangerous to newborn babies and infants. Most children…
