Whooping Cough Cases in Western Uusimaa During Late Spring
Whooping cough cases have recently gained media attention. Western Uusimaa has also seen a rise in confirmed infections, primarily among primary school-aged children.
Symptoms and Transmission
Whooping cough, medically known as pertussis, is a bacterial respiratory disease that spreads through airborne droplets. The incubation period typically ranges from 1 to 3 weeks. Whooping cough typically causes severe coughing fits, which may be accompanied by high-pitched intake of breath that sounds like "whoop." The intensity of the coughing fits can sometimes lead to vomiting.
While whooping cough can affect individuals of all ages, it poses a particular threat to infants under six months and children under 12 months who have not yet been vaccinated against the disease.
In older children and adults, the symptoms often resemble those of a common cold, including a runny nose and mild fever. The cough usually begins within 1–2 weeks. For these age groups, hospitalization is rarely necessary, and the disease often resolves independently.
Whooping cough is particularly dangerous for infants under six months who are either unvaccinated or inadequately vaccinated. The highest risk group includes infants under three months who have not yet received their first dose of the whooping cough vaccine. Especially in young children, inhaling can become difficult, leading to the characteristic whooping sound at the end of a coughing fit. Between these fits, patients generally exhibit only mild symptoms and appear to be in satisfactory condition. However, hospitalization is often required for young children.
Vaccination and Antibiotic Treatment
The national vaccination programme includes the whooping cough vaccine, administered at 3, 5, and 12 months, and at ages 4, 14–15, and 25. Public healthcare services provide these vaccines free of charge. Even vaccinated individuals can occasionally contract whooping cough as the immunity provided by the vaccine diminishes over time. However, vaccinated individuals generally experience a milder form of the disease and recover more quickly.
Antibiotic treatment can help alleviate the symptoms of whooping cough. This treatment should commence within 1-2 weeks of the disease’s onset. Contagiousness is highest at the beginning of the disease and decreases over time. Three weeks after symptoms begin, the infection is usually no longer contagious. With antibiotic treatment, contagiousness ends five days after starting the treatment.
What to Do If You Suspect a Whooping Cough Infection
If whooping cough is suspected in an infant under six months or a child under one year who has not received two doses of the whooping cough vaccine, contact the Medical Helpline or emergency medical services. This should be done even if the child appears to be in satisfactory condition and only shows mild symptoms between coughing fits.
Additionally, anyone experiencing severe coughing fits typical of whooping cough should contact healthcare services. This is particularly important if there is an infant under one year old in the family or if someone in the household is 36 weeks pregnant or further. Symptomatic individuals must not attend school, work, or hobbies.
Specific testing for whooping cough is not usually necessary with regular upper respiratory symptoms unless the symptoms particularly resemble whooping cough or the individual has been in contact with someone diagnosed with the disease. Testing referrals are made by healthcare professionals.
Please wear a mask when visiting healthcare facilities.
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