Pertussis, also called whooping cough, is a highly contagious bacterial infection caused by Bordetella pertussis. This bacterium sticks to the cilia present in the upper respiratory tract. It produces toxins that can damage your cilia. As a result, the infected person can suffer from an uncontrollable cough and difficulty breathing.
The only effective way to prevent it is by getting a pertussis vaccination. This blog post will help you understand and learn about pertussis vaccination basics, including who should receive it and when.
How deadly pertussis can be?
Pertussis makes children cough so hard that during breathing, they can start making whooping sounds. In the worst cases, it can lead to a crack in the ribs, the development of hernias, and so on. Some children can also suffer from attacks of pneumonia and seizures. About half of the babies aged less than one year need immediate hospital care.
Symptoms of Pertussis
After being exposed to the bacteria, it may take 5-10 days for the development of symptoms. In rare cases, this can extend up to 2-3 weeks.
First, the infected person may show sign of a cold and then it follows up with the following symptoms.
- Running nose
- Low-grade fever
- Mild cough
- Apnea
As the infection spreads in the body, coughing creates a lot of problems. Its intensity increases with a whooping sound. This is accompanied by vomiting and a feeling of exhaustion. Recovering from this takes several weeks as it happens slowly.
Who is at risk?
Pertussis can attack any unvaccinated individual but infants under one year of age are considered the most vulnerable. Their body is not ready to fight against any bacteria. That’s why immunization holds great importance in their life. After them, it’s age group of 10-20 years who can catch the pertussis infection but the fatality rate will be high among infants.
Tdap Vaccination Schedule
Pertussis vaccination comes in the combination form of the tdap vaccine, which provides protection against tetanus, diphtheria, and pertussis. As per the Indian academy of pediatrics (IAP), the vaccine is provided in three doses with the following age gaps:
- 6 weeks
- 10 weeks
- 14 weeks
Completing these doses for your child is essential to get long-term protection from disease.
Side Effects
By and large, these vaccines seem safe and effective—but there are some potential side effects that occur at the site of infection:
- Soreness
- Redness
- Swelling
The good news, though, is that most side effects are mild and transient, with many of these symptoms subsiding in time without treatment. This makes the decision on whether or not to vaccinate an easier one to make—the benefits clearly outweigh any potential risks. However, you will have to consult your paediatrician in case of some serious symptoms.
Getting Catch-Up Pertussis Vaccination
If your child missed their pertussis vaccination doses, they are considered to be at risk of contracting pertussis. So, it’s extremely important for parents to get their children vaccinated as soon as possible. Consult your doctor to provide your child with a catch-up vaccination before it’s too late.
Conclusion
To get some more information about tdap vaccination, contact your nearest pediatrician or doctor. He or she can answer all your queries like the vaccination procedure, schedule, and so on.
Eventually, getting vaccinated is easy, and it could save your life. If you’ve never had the Tdap vaccination, then now is the time to go in for a booster shot. Having complete doses of pertussis vaccination can protect you for decades, so get on it! Don’t take it lightly if you want a healthy family. To avoid missing the routine vaccination of your child, always use a vaccination tracker.
