To let you know there is a serious whooping cough outbreak in the UK?

[Overnightoats1]

Just returned from the GP with my 12 year old DS.. I wasn't aware but there is a really bad whooping cough outbreak so thought sharing the symptoms may help other parents. Apparently the vaccine stops working effectively at about 10 years old so they are seeing a huge rise during this outbreak in 10-15 year olds. Its also really important to start antibiotics ASAP within the first week or so to prevent the spread in your home as it's caused by bacteria.
For us it seemed like a typical cold - low grade fever, congestion, runny nose that improved within 3 days but then the awful cough started. He is generally okay between coughs but the cough's are so violent they have made him get sick a few times and he battles to breathe during them gasping for air with the gasping whoop sound -he also coughs up this horrible clear stringy mucous. Luckily we have antibiotics now but it's definitely something that should be on every parent's radar right now as it's so contagious and very dangerous for pregnant unvaccinated women and unvaccinated smaller children - plus really awful for the kids with it. I didn't even think of whooping cough as assumed my DC would be okay as all vaccinated. Hope this helps someone!

Please do contact your GP if you feel it necessary and or the cough sounds bad or seems to not sort itself.

I have just been supporting my 18 yo daughter in hospital after a particularly horrible rush to a&e because of a lung bacterial infection causing pneumonia because she didn't want to bother the Dr, and just thought it was a bad cough.

She couldn't breathe and had to be in for a whole week on oxygen and IV antibiotics. It was terrifying, and at only 18!

It wasn't whooping cough, but just wanted to remind parents these things can go south quick if not treated, even in older teens!

So please speak with your GP, and get antibiotics!

Was it the GP who said about the vaccine waring off? It not something I've heard of. There were several news reports on this earlier in the year, none mentioned anything about vaccine effectiveness. Just encouraging those who haven't recieved the vaccine to take it up.

It has been mentioned since around January that cases were on the rise, but is also being called 100 day cough which is confusing.

I knew about the whooping cough outbreak but I didn’t know the vaccine stops working after about 10 years! That’s worrying. I had the vaccine recently due to being pregnant and I’m relieved that it should protect my baby until they get their vaccines but I have 2 much older kids whose vaccines have presumably “run out” now. I don’t want them getting sick either.

It’s not linked it’s the same illness - the new name for it is what’s causing the confusion.

OP, I’m in month 6 now, it’s horrendous 😢

I just got diagnosed with whooping cough yesterday and I would not wish it on anyone, let alone a child/baby. I have bad whooping with it and nearly passed out a couple of nights ago. It's very frightening to experience.

It's good to raise awareness even if it has been discussed before. The NHS guidelines were updated within the last week to reflect how many cases they are getting (my GP showed me). I would be very very cautious with a young baby out and about if I'm honest.

Yes the vaccine doesn’t last into adulthood so adults aren’t protected. Not enough children are now being vaccinated which is why we’re getting this outbreak with adults too 🙁

Antibiotics don’t relieve the symptoms they just stop the spread if taken within the first 3 weeks. After that they are a waste of time unfortunately 🙁

If it is WC please don’t take him in as its horrendously infectious and you’ll potentially give it to everyone else in the waiting room 😬

@ShrinkingEveryDay Thanks I've just had a quick Google and it does last approx 10 years. I was aware in the lower uptake of vaccines due to numerous reasons.

Dc was born 11 years ago so I had the vaccine during pregnancy but it will have worn off by now. A colleague who I work with who is quite senior had whooping cough earlier in the year. It was the first time they have been off sick in the 7 years I have been woth the company.

My GP surgery did ask me to come in after a telephone consultation as they had additional concerns, but they asked me to take full COVID style precautions - mask/hand sanitiser/ keep a distance etc.

Does anyone remember being vaccinated during pregnancy? I had my kids 5+ years ago and I honestly don't remember being offered it.

Knowing how important it is for the new baby in the early days of life, I'm interested if anyone who recently had a baby was offered it? I'd definitely have taken it up so wondering if there is a gap?

i work on a paeds ward ( non medical) and while whooping cough is around we are still seeing many other viral illnesses atm that cause coughs. We are still very busy. Covid is on the rise even in kids and we’ve also , even had flu amongst others. ( positive tests)

Please look at the sign and symptoms of whooping cough and if any concerns see a medical professional/111 asap.

My BIL and niece have had it. BIL is asthmatic and has been really ill with it, had to go to A&E twice. The waiting room was absolutely full of people coughing, apparently, and the staff were run ragged.

The doctor who treated him said he's never known anything like it.

I didn't know that the vaccine only lasts 10 years. Mind you, I don't think there was a vaccine for it at all when I was a kid (I'm 68), so I doubt if I've ever had one, never mind a booster.

The outbreak started before Christmas and is sweeping through older people too. My gp gave me a booster shot of the combination vaccine (was there for travel vaccs but she was vaccinating every adult over 40 who came in unless they had had a booster within 10 years)

This is a really good idea - I’d definitely have taken the vaccine if I’d known. It has been a horrendous recovery - and I’m not sure I haven’t done permanent damage to my lungs 😢

https://whoopingcough.net/

Has a lot of information (I got this from a previous MN thread when searching for info yesterday) it says whooping cough doesn't cause permanent lung damage.

I remember having it when I was 5, I still remember the exhaustion from the whooping.

Public Health person told me on phone that vaccine wears off. Three doctors misdiagnosed my 9year old until one went like this…’I mean, it could be whooping cough….? But if it was that he’d have bloodshot eyes from coughing and things…’ and I was able to point out my sons bloodshot eyes. Been going nearly 3 months now. Horrible

Where I live I've met adults with it. My sister had it too last month.

Everyone is offered it now….don’t know anyone who has declined it….been routine since 2012? I think ….offered in 2nd trimester I think?

It's awful for any age, but particularly dangerous for children/infants because of their narrower airways. I had it as an adult while traveling overseas. Thought I had bronchitis, but the cough was so severe I was practically gasping for air at night in particular. I got scared, so found a doctor and was prescribed antibiotics. I've maintained updated vaccinations since.

It does wear off around 10 years of age on average. I am qualified in immunisations and we learned this is training.

That’s reassuring, thank you 😊. I’ll have to be more patient!

Well, that’s incorrect - I had whooping cough as an infant in the 80s and it gave me permanent lung damage! Ever since, every single cold I get becomes a cough and a long lasting chest infection, I have poor lung capacity despite doing cardio training. I have been tested and I don’t have asthma - I have reduced lung capacity from whooping cough! Be warned.

Definitely much more dangerous for small children. I’ve passed out and vomited a fair few times over the last few months due to coughing and every time I think how incredibly frightening it would be to nurse an infant through this 😢