Whooping cough timeline revealed – all the symptoms of the '100 days of cough' revealed and how to get a vaccine

Britain is in the grip of an outbreak of whooping cough and experts say it is up to parents to get their children jabbed to protect them.

It's also known as the '100 day cough' – and here we've revealed how the symptoms progress from day one to day 100.

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The latest statistics show that there were 2,793 cases between January and March England.

It's a huge increase of 858 cases and one death in all of 2023.

Five infant deaths have also been reported.

Experts say whooping cough tends to increase about every five years, but the UK Health and Security Agency warned: “The current increase comes at a time when there is a steady decrease in vaccine uptake in pregnant women and children.”

Pregnant women can receive a free vaccine that offers their baby 92 percent protection from birth.

The six-in-one NHS jab provides more protection at eight, twelve and sixteen weeks of age with a booster at three years of age.

Of the whooping cough deaths since 2012, 21 of 26 babies were born to unvaccinated mothers.

Symptom stages

The bug, known as whooping coughis a rapidly spreading bacterial infection of the lungs and respiratory tract.

Dr. Simon Theobalds, a general practitioner from Manchestersaid: “Most viral infections [like whooping cough] lasts one to two weeks, but for some people it may be longer.

“There are several reasons for this, including different levels of immunity against infections.”

According to the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, the notoriously long disease progresses in three phases.

Symptoms usually start five to 10 days after you contract the bug.

At first, symptoms often resemble those of a cold, but after about a week, patients experience coughing fits that last a few minutes and become worse at night.

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Young babies may also make a distinctive “whoop” or have difficulty breathing.

The cough may come up thickly slimethat can make people sick.

Young children or babies may turn blue or gray due to breathing difficulties, while adults may become red in the face.

If you or your child's lips, tongue, face or skin suddenly turn blue or gray, call 999 or go to the emergency room immediately.

The condition spreads very easily and can sometimes cause serious problems, including: rib fractures, pneumonia and seizures.

By week eight, the severe cough will usually have developed into something milder.

But for some it can last several months, which is why it is often called the '100 day cough'.

“If symptoms persist or worsen and you feel sicker or have a high fever, we recommend that you make a GP appointment for a full assessment and to rule out more serious conditions such as pneumonia or pneumonia. sepsisDr Simon added.

Request an emergency appointment or call NHS 111 as:

• Your cough is very bad or gets worse very quickly
• You feel very unwell
• You have chest pain
• The side of your neck feels swollen or painful
• You find it difficult to breathe
• You cough up blood

If you have whooping cough, antibiotics can help – but only if you start taking them within three weeks of the start of your symptoms, the NHS says.

Get vaccinated

The best way to protect your family against this is to get vaccinated.

Injection intake among pregnant women has fallen to a seven years low.

It fell from over 70 percent in September 2017 to around 58 percent in September 2023.

Vaccination rates in children have also fallen – especially in parts of London where fewer than three in five children are fully protected.

Parents have been urged to check their child is protected, with the UKHSA reminding expectant mothers to get the jab so their babies are protected at birth.

It is offered as part of the six-in-one shot when babies are eight, twelve and sixteen weeks old.

The number of two-year-olds who completed their six-in-one vaccinations as of September 2023 this is 92.9 percent, compared to 96.3 percent in March 2014.

Dr. Gayatri Amirthalingam, UKHSA consultant epidemiologist, said: 'Whooping cough can affect people of all ages, but for very young babies it can be particularly serious.

'However, vaccinating pregnant women is very effective in protecting babies from birth until they can receive their own vaccines.

'Parents can also help protect their children by making sure they get their vaccines at the right time or catch up as soon as possible if they have missed one.

“If you are unsure, check your child's red book or contact your GP.”

How to tackle whooping cough once you have it

If you have a GP, it is usually not necessary to go to the GP coughaccording to the NS.

But you should rest, drink plenty of fluids and avoid contact with others.

Painkillers like it paracetamol or ibuprofen Can also be taken, but also called hot lemon and honey drinks and herbal medicine pelargonium (if older than 12 years).

Pharmacists can also advise you on the best cough syrups, medicines, sweets and supplements.

You should see your doctor if the cough lasts longer than three weeks, if you are losing weight for no reason, or if you have a weakened immune system.