It’s the time of year when everyone is getting ill. But have you been out and about recently and noticed a lot more people coughing and spluttering than usual? Well, now you know why: England is still in the midst of the nation’s biggest outbreak of the ‘100-day’ cough (also known as whooping cough) in over a decade. That outbreak has been dragging on for pretty much the whole year, with over 14,000 cases.
The most recent data from the UK Health Security Agency (UKHSA) revealed that 10 babies and infants have died in the UK this year from the cough (from January to November). The UKHSA is urging Britons (particularly pregnant women) to get vaccinated against it. The cough is particularly threatening to very young children, with pregnant women typically vaccinated against it during pregnancy. Babies and young children are routinely vaccinated against it.
Across the whole 2023, 858 cases of whopping cough infection were recorded in the UK. But this year so far, over 14,400 cases have been identified – and there were 2,427 cases in June alone. Since the summer case numbers have slowly been decreasing, but the UKHSA has warned that the increase has come amid a steady decline in vaccine uptake among pregnant women and children.
So, what is the 100-day whooping cough? How do you know if you’ve fallen victim – and, importantly, how do you get rid of it? We’ve got all the stuff you need to know below.
What is the 100-day cough?
You might know the 100-day cough by its more common name, whooping cough. The official name for it is pertussis, which is a bacterial infection of the lungs and breathing tubes caused by a (rather operatic-sounding) bacteria called Bordetella pertussis.
The name ‘100-day cough’ comes, as you’ve probably guessed, from the fact that it can persist for weeks or even months.
What are the symptoms of whooping cough?
According to the NHS website, the first signs of a 100-day whooping cough are pretty similar to a cold – normally a runny nose and sore throat.
After a week, there are more developed symptoms. You might:
- have coughing bouts that last for a few minutes and get worse at night
- make a ‘whoop’ sound when you gasp for breath between coughs
- have difficulty breathing after a coughing fit
- bring up thick mucus
- become red in the face
Whooping cough can be particularly dangerous in children and especially babies under six months. It increases their chances of problems like dehydration, breathing difficulties, pneumonia and seizures.
To ease symptoms make sure you get loads of rest, drink lots of fluids and take some pain killers to relieve discomfort.
What are the signs of whooping cough in adults?
Adults’ symptoms for whooping cough are the same as the cold-like ones outlined above.
There are typically three phases to the cough: the catarrhal phase (the first three weeks, with upper respiratory effects), the paroxysmal phase (with repeated coughing, periods of fever and ‘whooping’ inhalation) and the convalescent phase (where the cough persists until it peters out, with bouts often triggered by irritants).
How contagious is whooping cough?
It spreads very easily through droplets from coughs or sneezes. Some people might have mild symptoms of the cough and not be aware that they’re spreading it.
What does the 100-day cough sound like?
The cough itself is severe and hacking, with bouts that leave sufferers short of breath. The distinctive ‘whoop’ sound comes from gasping for air and heavy wheezing after coughing.
How do you treat whooping cough?
It depends how old you are and how long you’ve had the infection. The NHS advises that you seek hospital treatment if the coughing is severe or your child is under six months old. Check the official NHS website here for more details.
In a recent warning, NHS England national director for vaccinations and screening Steve Russell said: ’With whooping cough on the rise, it is important that families come forward to get the protection they need.
‘If you are pregnant and have not been vaccinated yet or your child is not up-to-date with whooping cough or other routine vaccinations, please contact your GP as soon as possible.
‘And if you or your child have symptoms ask, for an urgent GP appointment or get help from NHS 111.’
How to get vaccinated against whooping cough
A vaccine protects both children and babies from whooping cough. Typically, it is part of the routine vaccinations offered to women during pregnancy. Find out about the pregnancy vaccine on the NHS website here.
Then these are the two vaccine packages for children:
- 6-in-1 vaccine – for babies at 8, 12 and 16 weeks
- 4-in-1 pre-school booster – for children aged 3 years 4 months
Are antibiotics used to treat whooping cough?
The NHS says it will only prescribe antibiotics if the cough is diagnosed within two weeks of it starting. After that point, it says it is unlikely to help your symptoms.
Why is this deadly Victorian disease making a comeback in the UK?
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