What are the Symptoms of Whooping Cough and How to Prevent It

The Ministry of Health of Armenia has presented facts regarding whooping cough. Whooping cough is a highly contagious airborne disease. One infected person can spread the disease to 12-17 others. The disease typically resurges every 3 to 5 years and primarily affects children. It is particularly severe in infants under 6 months old, especially those under 2 months.

The symptoms of whooping cough include fever, a dry, painful, and paroxysmal cough. Complications associated with the disease can include pneumonia, bronchitis, and encephalitis (brain infection), which may lead to disabilities in children.

PREVENTION: Frequent hand washing, restriction of contact in case of symptoms, and vaccination is the only safe and effective means of preventing whooping cough according to the vaccination schedule. Vaccinations begin at 6 weeks of age. It is also recommended for pregnant women to get vaccinated between 27-36 weeks of pregnancy, as vaccination provides protection to the newborn until they are old enough to be vaccinated.

TREATMENT: Antibiotics may be prescribed by a physician, which are most effective in the early stages of the disease. Vaccination is recommended because the best way to protect against whooping cough is prevention.