Whooping Cough Vaccine
Find out what vaccinations you may need for you destination
Whooping Cough
Whooping cough, also known as pertussis, is a highly contagious bacterial infection that affects the lungs and airways. It spreads easily through coughing, sneezing and close contact with an infected person.
The infection can affect people of all ages, but it can be particularly serious for babies, young children, pregnant women and people with weakened immune systems. In young infants, whooping cough can sometimes lead to breathing difficulties, pneumonia, seizures or other serious complications.
Although vaccination during childhood provides important protection, immunity can decrease over time. Boosters may be recommended in certain situations, including during pregnancy.
The whooping cough vaccine helps reduce the risk of infection and can also help lower the severity of symptoms and complications if infection does occur.
Symptoms
Whooping cough symptoms often begin with mild cold-like symptoms such as a runny nose, sore throat, mild fever and occasional cough.
After around one to two weeks, the cough can become more severe and develop into intense coughing fits. Some people may make a distinctive “whooping” sound when gasping for breath after coughing, although this does not happen in every case.
Coughing fits may be worse at night and can sometimes cause vomiting, exhaustion or difficulty breathing. Symptoms can last for several weeks or even months.
Babies and young infants may not develop a typical cough but can experience pauses in breathing, feeding difficulties or severe breathing problems that require urgent medical attention.
Because whooping cough spreads easily between people, vaccination remains an important way to help reduce the risk of infection and protect vulnerable groups.
Vaccination
The whooping cough vaccine helps protect against pertussis infection and may be recommended in certain situations based on age, pregnancy or individual risk factors. Vaccination is particularly important during pregnancy, as it can help pass protection to babies before they are old enough to receive their own vaccinations. The vaccine is usually recommended during pregnancy to help reduce the risk of severe illness in newborn babies.
Some adults may also require vaccination depending on their health needs, vaccination history or risk factors. During your appointment, our team can discuss whether the whooping cough vaccine may be appropriate for you.
Like many vaccines, the whooping cough vaccine can cause mild side effects. These may include soreness, redness or swelling at the injection site, mild fever, headache or tiredness. These effects are usually temporary.
During your appointment at Market Harborough Travel Clinic, our team can review your medical history, answer your questions and provide guidance about whooping cough vaccination.
Book Now
If you are planning to travel abroad, book an appointment with Market Harborough Travel Clinic today.
Our experienced team can provide personalised travel health advice and help you understand which vaccinations, medications, or preventative measures may be appropriate based on your destination, medical history, and individual circumstances.
We are here to help you travel with confidence through expert guidance and convenient appointments in Market Harborough.