Skip to content

How not to give your baby whooping cough

Health Unit Urges Adults to Ensure that their Pertussis Vaccination is Up-to-Date
2015 11 24 health_generic doctor

NEWS RELEASE

PORCUPINE HEALTH UNIT

*************************
The Porcupine Health Unit is reporting that the number of pertussis cases in our area is on the rise.

Pertussis, more commonly known as “whooping cough”, is a contagious disease spread by coughing or sneezing.

Adults are often the source of infection for infants.

According to Chantal Porter, Infectious Diseases Program Coordinator “we are advising all adults to ensure they are up-to-date with their pertussis immunization to avoid transmitting the disease to young children.”

Porter states, “In most cases, the disease usually begins with cold-like symptoms, including a runny nose or congestion, sneezing, and mild cough or fever. After one to two weeks, the disease progresses to severe coughing spells with a loud “whooping” sound.”

Pertussis can infect individuals of any age; however, among babies, it can lead to pneumonia, seizures, inflammation of the brain and permanent brain damage.

“The best way to protect yourself and your family is to get immunized,” says Porter. “If you are unsure of your own or your child’s immunization history, call your health care provider; they will know which vaccines your child has received.”

Porter notes that everyone needs to do his or her part to prevent the spread of pertussis.

Here are a few simple steps:

get immunized, clean your hands thoroughly and frequently; cough and sneeze into your sleeve; keep commonly touched surfaces clean; stay home if you are sick and keep children home from school or day care when they are sick.

The Porcupine Health Unit is located in Northeastern Ontario, serving the entire Cochrane District and Hornepayne, in Algoma District.

The main office is located in Timmins, Ontario, with branch offices in Cochrane, Hearst, Hornepayne, Iroquois Falls, Kapuskasing, Matheson, Moosonee and Smooth Rock Falls.

*************************