2024-07-25 12:15:11
Whooping cough: A highly contagious disease that is particularly serious in children. Vaccination helps, but very few are completely protected.
There are currently many cases of whooping cough, especially among teenagers. According to the Robert Koch Institute (RKI) and the Professional Association of Paediatricians (BVKJ), this could also be due to missed booster vaccinations. It is assumed that young people in particular are not receiving the recommended booster vaccination between the ages of nine and 16 to the extent that would be desirable, the RKI said in response to a query. The greatest immunity is present shortly after vaccination and then slowly decreases, according to the BVKJ.
The Standing Committee on Vaccination (Stiko) recommends a three-part basic vaccination for babies to protect against whooping cough, as well as a booster vaccination at the age of five to six and from nine to 16 years. Adults should be vaccinated against whooping cough again at the next tetanus and diphtheria booster vaccination due.
According to the RKI, the highly contagious disease often only manifests itself as a long-lasting cough in adolescents and adults, as well as in most vaccinated children. In the initial stages, in the first one to two weeks, unvaccinated people usually experience cold-like symptoms such as a runny nose and mild cough, as well as mild to no fever.
Then, in the second stage of the disease, the typical spasmodic coughing fits with a gasping intake of air can occur. This stage can last four to six weeks. The coughing fits can be accompanied by gagging and vomiting, with vomiting occurring mainly in small children. Fever is also rare in this phase. In the third stage, the disease slowly subsides. However, the dry cough can still last for months.
According to the RKI and BVKJ, whooping cough cases are subject to natural fluctuations, and the catch-up effect after Corona also plays a role. The number of whooping cough cases has been rising since spring, especially among teenagers: According to the RKI, 2,421 cases have already been reported this year among ten to 14-year-olds and 2,168 cases among 15 to 19-year-olds. This is the highest number in at least ten years. For comparison: in 2019, there were 713 and 523 cases in the same age groups.
But the number of cases among newborns is currently similarly high, “which is a bigger problem due to the severity of the disease at that age,” according to the RKI. Sick infants are often taken to hospital for observation or treatment.
Those who are ill should stay away from others as much as possible; vaccination is the only effective prophylaxis, says the RKI. The Association of Paediatricians and Adolescent Doctors points out that infants should be vaccinated promptly and that they are also protected by vaccinating pregnant women.