Whooping Cough
Whooping cough, also known as pertussis, is a highly contagious bacterial infection of the respiratory tract. It is characterized by severe coughing spells that can last for weeks or even months. The bacteria that causes whooping cough is called Bordetella pertussis.
Symptoms of Whooping Cough
The symptoms of whooping cough typically develop in three stages:
- Catarrhal stage: This stage lasts for about 1-2 weeks and is characterized by mild cold-like symptoms, such as a runny nose, sore throat, and low-grade fever.
- Paroxysmal stage: This stage lasts for 2-4 weeks and is characterized by severe coughing spells. The coughing spells are often followed by a characteristic “whooping” sound.
- Convalescent stage: This stage lasts for several weeks or months and is characterized by a gradual improvement in symptoms.
Whooping Cough Complications
Whooping cough can lead to a number of serious complications, including:
- Pneumonia
- Encephalitis
- Death
Whooping Cough Treatment
Whooping cough is treated with antibiotics. The antibiotics are most effective when they are started early in the course of the illness. In some cases, hospitalization may be necessary.
Whooping Cough Prevention
The best way to prevent whooping cough is to get vaccinated. The whooping cough vaccine is part of the routine childhood immunization schedule. It is recommended that all children receive five doses of the vaccine, at the following ages:
- 2 months
- 4 months
- 6 months
- 15-18 months
- 4-6 years
Whooping Cough Trends
Whooping cough is a cyclical disease, meaning that the number of cases goes up and down over time. In recent years, there has been a resurgence of whooping cough cases in many parts of the world. This resurgence is thought to be due to a number of factors, including:
- Decreasing vaccination rates
- Increased travel
- Changes in the bacteria that causes whooping cough
Whooping Cough in Ireland
The number of whooping cough cases in Ireland has been rising in recent years. In 2022, there were over 1,000 cases of whooping cough reported in Ireland. This is the highest number of cases since 2012.
The Health Service Executive (HSE) is urging people to get vaccinated against whooping cough. The vaccine is safe and effective, and it is the best way to protect yourself and your loved ones from this serious illness.
The AI has provided us with the news.
I’ve asked Google Gemini the following question, and here’s its response.
Please search for “whooping cough” which is rapidly rising on Google Trends IE and explain in detail. Answers should be in English.
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