The Federal Center for Health Awareness in Germany said that whooping cough is a serious bacterial disease, caused by the Bordetella bacteria, which are transmitted through droplets during sneezing and coughing, for example.
The center added that the bacteria causing the disease produce a toxin that damages the mucous membranes in the respiratory system, explaining that the distinctive symptoms of whooping cough are spasmodic coughing attacks accompanied by sneezing, runny nose, sore throat and vomiting, in addition to loss of appetite and sleeping difficulties.
Whooping cough often attacks children and infants and poses a threat to the lives of infants in particular. However, vaccination against whooping cough provides effective protection for children.
If a child is infected with whooping cough, he is treated with antibiotics, taking care to stay at home and not go to kindergarten or school. Since the disease is considered highly contagious.
Vaccination of pregnant women
For its part, the Standing Committee on Vaccination in Germany recommended that pregnant women receive vaccination against whooping cough at the beginning of the last three months of pregnancy. If there is a risk of premature birth, vaccination must be done in the second trimester of pregnancy, in order to protect the newborn from the disease.
The center indicated that whooping cough may also affect adults. Therefore, they must renew the vaccination to avoid the serious consequences that may result from otitis media, lung infections, urinary incontinence, and weight loss.