Ayrshire and Arran residents see rise in whooping cough cases
Anyone with symptoms and a young baby is advised to speak with their GP
People living in Ayrshire and Arran have seen a recent rise in cases of whooping cough, the area health board has revealed.
NHS Ayrshire & Arran say they are aware of several confirmed cases of the bacterial infection of the lungs and airways, also known as pertussis.
The highly contagious whoop is spread when a person with the infection coughs or sneezes and is often treatable with antibiotics.
Lisa Davidson, NHS Ayrshire & Arran’s Assistant Director for Public Health said: “It is important to know the symptoms of whooping cough, which are repeated coughing bouts, vomiting or a whoop sound when the person draws breath once again.
“The cough may last for several weeks or months.”
Small babies, particularly if under two months of age, but up to six months of age, may develop a more serious illness with whooping cough.
Ms Davidson added: “It can make babies under six months of age particularly ill.
“However, whooping cough can be prevented with a vaccine that is offered routinely to all babies in the first year of life and a pre-school booster.
“If you think that your child has missed out on some of the whooping cough immunisations, please first contact your GP and ask to be referred to the non-routine vaccination service where an appointment will be issued.”
Anyone worried they may have contracted whooping cough is advised to contact their GP or NHS 111.
This is particularly important if there is a baby under six months of age in the household and somebody has symptoms of whooping cough or if you are pregnant and have symptoms of whooping cough.
The whooping cough vaccine is also offered routinely to all pregnant women at around 20 weeks of pregnancy.