Health officials raise alarm over whooping cough
Health officials are warning parents to be on the alert after one case of a highly contagious lung disease affecting young children was detected on the island.
A Ministry of Health spokeswoman confirmed last night that one instance of whooping cough — also known as pertussis — had been recorded by the Chief Medical Officer.
The spokeswoman added that the condition, which can prove fatal in both the young and old, was highly contagious and was normally spread through coughing or sneezing.
The spokeswoman did not say in which parish the case had been reported.
She said: “Although the risk to the community remains low, the Chief Medical Officer strongly advises anyone with symptoms to consult their GP.
“Babies under six months are at an increased risk of developing problems, such as dehydration, breathing difficulties, pneumonia or fits.”
The first signs of whooping cough are similar to a common cold. After about a week, you or your child:
• Will get coughing bouts that last for a few minutes and are worse at night
• Will make a “whoop” sound — a gasp for breath between coughs, although some young babies and some adults may not ‘whoop’
• May bring up thick mucus, which can make you sick
• May become very red in the face. This is more common in adult sufferers
Call 911 or go to King Edward VII Memorial Hospital’s emergency department immediately if:
•Your child has periods of stopping breathing and their face or lips go blue
•You or your child find it hard to breathe properly
•You or your child have chest pain that is worse when breathing or coughing — this could be a sign of pneumonia
•Your child is having fits
You should see a GP urgently or call 911 if:
•Your baby is under six months old and has symptoms of whooping cough
•You or your child have a very bad cough that is getting worse
• You have been in contact with someone with whooping cough and you are pregnant
• You or your child have been in contact with someone with whooping cough and have a weakened immune system.
If your GP suspects whooping cough, you may have a swab or other test taken and you may be prescribed antibiotics to help stop it from spreading to others.
Antibiotics may not reduce symptoms. You can relieve the symptoms of whooping cough by getting plenty of rest, drinking lots of fluids and taking paracetamol or ibuprofen to relieve discomfort. Always check doses of paracetamol or ibuprofen with a GP or pharmacist before giving them to a child aged under 16.
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