What is whooping cough?

Whooping cough—also known as pertussis or the 100-day cough—is a highly contagious bacterial infection that affects the lungs and airways. It’s caused by the bacterium Bordetella pertussis and is especially dangerous for babies and young children.

🦠 What Happens in the Body

• Early symptoms mimic a cold: runny nose, sore throat, mild fever, and sneezing.

• After about a week, it escalates into severe coughing fits that can last for minutes.

• These fits often end with a high-pitched “whoop” sound as the person gasps for air—hence the name.

• In infants, the cough may be absent, but they can stop breathing or turn blue during episodes.

🚨 Why It’s Serious

• Infants under 6 months are most at risk and often require hospitalization.

• Complications include pneumonia, seizures, dehydration, and in rare cases, brain damage or death.

• Adults and older children usually recover, but the cough can linger for weeks or even months.

💉 Prevention & Treatment

• Vaccination is key: Pregnant women are advised to get vaccinated between 20–32 weeks to protect their newborns.

• Babies receive the DTaP vaccine in multiple doses starting at 2 months old.

• If diagnosed early (within 2–3 weeks), antibiotics can help reduce spread and severity.

📣 Current Concerns

There’s been a recent resurgence in cases, especially in the UK, due to declining vaccination rates. Tragically, infant deaths have occurred where mothers weren’t vaccinated during pregnancy.

What are the latest vaccination guidelines for whooping cough?

👶 For Infants and Young Children

The pertussis vaccine is administered as part of the Pentavalent vaccine, which protects against:

• Diphtheria

• Pertussis (whooping cough)

• Tetanus

• Hepatitis B

• Haemophilus influenzae type B

Schedule:

• 6 weeks: Pentavalent-1

• 10 weeks: Pentavalent-2

• 14 weeks: Pentavalent-3

These are given via intramuscular injection in the thigh.

🧒 For Older Children

• DPT Booster-1: Given at 16–24 months

• DPT Booster-2: Given at 5–6 years

These boosters help maintain immunity as the child grows.

🤰 For Pregnant Women

To protect newborns (who are most vulnerable), the guidelines recommend:

• Tdap vaccine (Tetanus, Diphtheria, and Pertussis) between 20–32 weeks of pregnancy

• If unavailable, TT (Tetanus Toxoid) is still administered per NIS, but Tdap is preferred for broader protection

🛡️ Why It Matters

• Immunity from childhood vaccines wanes over time.

• Vaccinating pregnant women helps pass antibodies to the baby, offering protection until the infant can be vaccinated.

• Booster doses in children are essential to prevent outbreaks.

What are the side effects of whooping cough vaccines?

💉 Common Side Effects (Mild & Short-Term)

These usually appear within 24–48 hours:

• Pain or swelling at the injection site

• Mild fever

• Irritability or fussiness (especially in infants)

• Loss of appetite

• Fatigue or drowsiness

These symptoms typically resolve on their own and are signs that the immune system is responding.

⚠️ Less Common Side Effects

These are rare but can occur:

• High fever (above 39°C)

• Persistent crying for more than 3 hours

• Seizures (febrile convulsions, usually not harmful long-term)

• Allergic reactions like rash or hives

If any of these occur, it's important to consult a doctor immediately.

🧠 Extremely Rare but Serious Reactions

• Anaphylaxis (severe allergic reaction): Very rare, but medical teams are trained to manage it.

• Neurological symptoms: Extremely rare and often not directly linked to the vaccine.

According to PrognoHealth, the Pentavalent vaccine has significantly reduced disease burden in India, especially Hib-related pneumonia and meningitis. The benefits far outweigh the risks, especially for infants who are most vulnerable to pertussis.

🧬 How the Vaccine Works

1. Antigen Exposure Without Infection

• The vaccine contains inactivated components of the pertussis bacteria (either whole-cell or acellular).

• These components cannot cause disease, but they do trigger an immune response.

2. Immune System Activation

• Your body identifies these components as foreign invaders.

• It produces antibodies specifically designed to neutralize pertussis toxins and bacteria.

3. Memory Formation

• Specialized immune cells "remember" the pertussis antigens.

• If you're exposed to the real bacteria later, your body can respond rapidly and effectively, preventing illness or reducing severity.

🧪 Latest Research Boosts

Recent studies have identified two powerful antibodies—hu11E6 and hu1B7—that target the pertussis toxin (PT), which is responsible for many of the severe symptoms. These antibodies:

• Block the toxin from attaching to human cells

• Prevent it from entering cells, stopping it from weakening your immune system

This research could lead to next-gen vaccines with longer-lasting protection and better efficacy, especially for infants who are most vulnerable.

🇮🇳 In India

• The Pentavalent vaccine (which includes DPT) is part of the national immunization program.

• It’s typically given at 6, 10, and 14 weeks, with boosters later in childhood.