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Saad Ullah Siddiqui

Whooping cough may not exhibit symptoms in adults, but may lead to complications. Take a suitable cough syrup for the dry cough to prevent chronic cough.

I Am An Adult, Should I Be Worried About Getting Whooping Cough?

This article or video has been vetted and verified by Meri Sehat’s specialists. It contains citations and research from validated sources.

Humza Khizer

This article or video has been recorded by a subject / domain specialists with a proven track record of excellence in their area. 

Do Pregnant Women Need Booster Doses For Whooping Cough?

Introduction

Young babies with whooping cough often suffer from severe symptoms and are admitted to the hospital for their illness. The severity of whooping cough can also lead to death.

Pregnant women can protect their babies from <a href="https://www.merisehat.pk/disease/whopping-cough">whooping cough</a> by getting vaccinated between sixteen to thirty-two weeks. However, if they miss getting the vaccine during their pregnancy, they can still get it till they go into labour.

&nbsp;

Understanding The Need For Pertussis Vaccination In Pregnancy

Whooping cough (pertussis) is a serious infection where the patient coughs and chokes, which makes it difficult to breathe. The cause of the whoop is gasping for breath after each bout of coughing. However, babies don&rsquo;t always make this noise.

&nbsp;

Getting vaccinated during pregnancy can protect your baby from developing whooping cough in the first few weeks after birth<a href="#accordion">[1]</a>. The immunity from the vaccine will pass to the baby through the placenta and provide protection till they are old enough for routine vaccines against whooping cough.

&nbsp;

Women are usually concerned about whether the vaccine is safe to get during pregnancy. However, there is no evidence that suggests that the whooping cough vaccine is unsafe for pregnant women and their unborn children.

The whooping cough vaccine (pertussis-containing vaccine) is used routinely in pregnant women in the UK, since October 2012. Moreover, the Medicines and Healthcare Regulatory Agency (MHRA) monitors it for safety. The MHRA study has found no risk, or evidence of risks, in pregnant women and their babies<a href="#accordion">[3]</a>.&nbsp;

69% of women have gotten the vaccine to date and so far, no safety concerns have been identified in the mother or baby<a href="#accordion">[4]</a>.

Other countries are also currently recommending vaccination against whooping cough.

&nbsp;

The best time to get vaccinated is between sixteen to thirty-two weeks of pregnancy to protect your baby from whooping cough<a href="#accordion">[2]</a>. This increases the chances of your baby being protected from birth because the antibodies are transferred when they are born.

However, if you miss the vaccine due to any reason, you can get it before labor. But the chances of your baby getting the protection are highly unlikely. However, it will protect the mother from getting whooping cough and passing it to their baby after birth.

&nbsp;

UK vaccination program says that it is highly effective for women to get vaccinated against whooping cough because it protects their young babies till they can get their first vaccination at the age of eight weeks.

Babies of women who had been vaccinated at least a week before giving birth had a 91% reduced risk of getting ill with whooping cough in their first few weeks post-birth<a href="#accordion">[5]</a>. This comparison was done between babies whose mothers had been vaccinated and those who had not been vaccinated.

In addition, another benefit of getting vaccinated is that the mothers receive protection from the vaccination, which lowers the risk of infection and passing whooping cough to the baby.&nbsp;

&nbsp;

There isn&rsquo;t a single whooping cough vaccine. The vaccine is a combination, which protects against polio, tetanus, and diphtheria. It is called the Boostrix IPV. The Boostrix IPV vaccine is like the 4-in-1 vaccine. It is a pre-school booster that is given in routine to children before they start school.

&nbsp;

The side effects are mild, which include, swelling, tenderness, swelling, or redness at the site of the vaccination (arm), just like any other vaccine. However, the side effects last for a few days only. Other side effects of the vaccine include fever, irritation, and swelling of the vaccinated arm. Loss of appetite, irritability, and headache are also seen. Although, severe side effects are extremely rare.

&nbsp;

Conclusion

Whooping cough is very infectious and can cause pneumonia and brain damage, especially in young babies. Most of the babies require hospitalization for the treatment of whooping cough. Moreover, if the case is very severe, they may die.

The cases of whooping cough have fallen since 2012 in England among all age groups<a href="#accordion">[6]</a>. The largest fall has been seen in young babies targeted by the pregnancy vaccination program.

However, the cases of whooping cough are high in adults, compared to the pre-2012 levels. The number of cases was high in 2016, with an increase in three to four yearly peaks in the rates of diseases<a href="#accordion">[7]</a>.

Older adults with whooping cough can infect babies; hence, it is necessary that pregnant women get vaccinated and protect their babies.

&nbsp;

Key Points

<ul>
</ul>

<ul>
	<li>Pregnant women can be vaccinated with the DTaP(-IPV) booster to protect their babies from whooping cough till the age of six months.</li>
	<li>Moreover, maternal antibodies are passed to the baby through the placenta.&nbsp;</li>
	<li>Mothers should consult their physicians and discuss getting vaccinated for pertussis during their pregnancy.</li>
</ul>

&nbsp;

[1] Switzer, C., D’Heilly, C. and Macina, D., 2019. Immunological and clinical benefits of maternal immunization against pertussis: a systematic review. Infectious Diseases and Therapy, 8(4), pp.499-541.

[2] Murthy, S., Godinho, M.A., Lakiang, T., Lewis, M.G.G., Lewis, L. and Nair, N.S., 2018. Efficacy and safety of pertussis vaccination in pregnancy to prevent whooping cough in early infancy. The Cochrane Database of Systematic Reviews, 2018(4).

[3] Donegan, K., King, B. and Bryan, P., 2014. Safety of pertussis vaccination in pregnant women in UK: observational study. Bmj, 349.

[4] D’Heilly, C., Switzer, C. and Macina, D., 2019. Safety of maternal immunization against pertussis: a systematic review. Infectious Diseases and Therapy, 8(4), pp.543-568.

[5] Healy, C.M., 2016. Pertussis vaccination in pregnancy. Human vaccines & immunotherapeutics, 12(8), pp.1972-1981.

[6] Haslam, N., Hoang, U. and Goldacre, M.J., 2014. Trends in hospital admission rates for whooping cough in England across five decades: database studies. Journal of the Royal Society of Medicine, 107(4), pp.157-162.

[7] Esposito, S., Stefanelli, P., Fry, N.K., Fedele, G., He, Q., Paterson, P., Tan, T., Knuf, M., Rodrigo, C., Weil Olivier, C. and Flanagan, K.L., 2019. Pertussis prevention: reasons for resurgence, and differences in the current acellular pertussis vaccines. Frontiers in Immunology, 10, p.1344.

Staff Writer

Conquering The 3 Musketeers: Diphtheria, Pertussis and Tetanus in Adulthood

<a href="https://www.merisehat.pk/disease/diphtheria">Diphtheria</a> is a bacterial infection which causes severe inflammation of the nose and throat.&nbsp; 
&nbsp;

In the past, diphtheria was considered a major cause of child related mortality in USA. For example, till the 1920s, 200,000 cases were reported annually in the United States. However, since then, enforcement and adherence to strict vaccination schedules has helped in significantly reducing the disease.&nbsp;&nbsp;

&nbsp;

Understanding the Diphtheria vaccine for adults

A <a href="https://www.merisehat.pk/disease/diphtheria">diphtheria</a> vaccine is a toxoid vaccine against Corynebacterium diphtheriae. Since it is usually paired with a tetanus vaccine, it can be referred to as a tetanus shot. 
&nbsp;

The different types include:&nbsp;

<ul>
	<li>DTaP which provides immunization against diphtheria, tetanus, and acellular pertussis in children.</li>
	<li>DT which provides immunization against diphtheria and tetanus in children&nbsp;</li>
	<li>Tdap which provides immunization against combined tetanus, diphtheria and acellular pertussis) in adolescents (preteens and teens) and adults.</li>
	<li>Td which provides immunization against tetanus and diphtheria in adolescents and adults 
	&nbsp;</li>
</ul>

The vaccine is safe and in most people is associated with mild side effects such as pain, redness and slight swelling at the site of injection. The vaccine is also safe to use in people with poor immune function and pregnant women.

<h5>&nbsp;</h5>

<h5>Storage Of vaccine</h5>

The vaccines need to kept in cold, but not freezing temperatures&nbsp; 
&nbsp;

<h5>Effectiveness Of vaccines&nbsp;</h5>

Among vaccinated persons, about 95% develop immunity against the infection. Proper vaccination has reduced diphtheria by 90% globally between 1980 to 2000. 
&nbsp;

<h5>Why Are Diphtheria Vaccines Necessary?</h5>

Diphtheria is a highly contagious bacterial infection which can lead to severe complications: pneumonia, lung failure, and paralysis. It is associated with high mortality rates, e.g., 1 in 10 diphtheria patients die from it. 
&nbsp;

A diphtheria vaccine offers the best protection against this deadly infection. 
&nbsp;

<h5>Who Should Get Vaccinated?</h5>

People of all ages should get the diphtheria vaccine, including pregnant women, since it provides protection to the newborn from getting whooping cough in the first few weeks/months of life. 
&nbsp;

<h5>Are There Any Side Effects Of The Vaccine?</h5>

The vaccine is well tolerated by most people. Some mild side effects are possible, but are usually self-resolving. These include:&nbsp; 
&nbsp;

<ul>
	<li>Body aches</li>
	<li>Headache</li>
	<li>Loss of appetite, nausea, and perhaps vomiting.</li>
	<li>Low fever</li>
	<li>Local skin reactions at the site of injection, such as redness or swelling. 
	&nbsp;</li>
</ul>

<h5>How Effective Is The Diphtheria Vaccine?</h5>

DTaP, DT, Td and Tdap vaccines are 95% effective against diphtheria for up to 10 years. Since protections wanes over time, it is necessary that adults get a Td or Tdap booster shot every 10 years to maintain their immunity.&nbsp; 
&nbsp;

The CDC recommends adult vaccinations with the Tdap vaccines for the following:&nbsp; 
&nbsp;

<ul>
	<li>Adults who have never been vaccinated against diphtheria.&nbsp;</li>
	<li>Mothers who were not vaccinated in their childhood against diphtheria&nbsp;</li>
	<li>Health workers who are in direct contact with patients</li>
	<li>People who are going to travel in countries where pertussis is extensively present</li>
	<li>Attendants and health care staff (parents, grandparents, babysitters) who look after infants under 1 year&nbsp;</li>
	<li>Pregnant women in 27-36th week of pregnancy; this protects newborns from whooping cough in first few months of life&nbsp;&nbsp;</li>
	<li>People older than 65 years 
	&nbsp;</li>
</ul>

Boosters are recommended for all adults after every 10 years.

&nbsp;

The following adults should discuss and inform their health care providers prior to vaccination and booster shots:&nbsp; 
&nbsp;

<ul>
	<li>People allergic to any component in the vaccine.&nbsp;</li>
	<li>People suffering from seizures or another nervous system problem</li>
	<li>Guillain-Barr&eacute; syndrome (GBS) patients&nbsp;</li>
	<li>History of severe reaction to the vaccine in the past</li>
	<li>Suffering from severe illness including high fever</li>
</ul>

&nbsp;

A severe allergic reaction is a very rare occurrence. However, if it happens, these are the presenting signs: 
&nbsp;

<ul>
	<li>Hives</li>
	<li>Pale skin</li>
	<li>Dizziness</li>
	<li>Weakness</li>
	<li>Hoarse voice</li>
	<li>Rapid heartbeat</li>
	<li>High fever</li>
	<li>Behavior&nbsp;changes</li>
	<li>Breathing difficulties like wheezing 
	&nbsp;</li>
</ul>

If you experience any of the above mentioned symptoms after getting vaccinated, seek immediate medical attention. 
&nbsp;

<ul>
	<li>Diphtheria is a highly contagious bacterial infection, and is considered as a priority notification disease in Pakistan. Thereby, any presenting cases should be informed to the local health authorities immediately.&nbsp;&nbsp;</li>
	<li>Diphtheria is easily preventable with vaccination.</li>
	<li>Since immunity wanes over time, it is recommended that adults get booster doses after every 10 years.&nbsp;</li>
	<li>Boosters are recommended between the ages of 19-65.</li>
</ul>

Diphtheria, available at https://www.hhs.gov/immunization/diseases/diphtheria/index. retrieved on 27th June 2022.

[2].MedlinePlus Medical Encyclopedia: Diphtheria immunization (vaccine)". Archived from the original on 2 March 2009. Retrieved on 27th June 2022

[3].Diphtheria vaccine: WHO position paper- August 2017" (PDF). Wkly. Epidemiol. Rec. 92 (31): 417–435. 4 August 2017. hdl:10665/258681. PMID 28776357.

[4].William (May 2012). Diphtheria Epidemiology and Prevention of Vaccine-Preventable Diseases (12 ed.). Public Health Foundation. pp. 215–230. ISBN 9780983263135.

[5].Diphtheria Vaccination. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). Retrieved on 27th June 2022.3 September 2014. Retrieved 27th June 2022

Zareena Mushtaq

Madeeha Syed

Natural Remedies For The Cold, Flu And Cough!

Overview

The onset of winter is a great time to get some fresh air and exercise outside. The colder weather also brings with it colds, flu, and <a href="https://merisehat.pk/disease/whopping-cough">coughs</a>. While these are all very common ailments, they can be a nuisance. Fortunately, there are lots of natural remedies that you can use to help treat your symptoms without resorting to drugs or side effects. Read on for some great tips on how to manage this winter&rsquo;s common ailments. 
&nbsp;

Natural Remedies

<ul dir="ltr">
	<li>
	<h5 dir="ltr">Honey</h5>
	</li>
</ul>

Honey is a natural cough suppressant, which not only helps you to breathe better, but also feel better. If you have a tickle in your throat that just won&rsquo;t go away, try some honey for relief.

Honey has antibacterial and anti-fungal properties that help it to fight off bacteria in your mouth and throat. It&rsquo;s even been shown to kill MRSA (methicillin-resistant staphylococcus aureus) on the skin! When we say &ldquo;honey&rdquo;, we&rsquo;re talking about all kinds - beri honey from Pakistan, Manuka honey from New Zealand; acacia honey from Australia; chestnut honey from China; buckwheat honey from Germany; and blueberry blossom honey made by bees in Japan. 
&nbsp;

<ul dir="ltr">
	<li>
	<h5 dir="ltr">Lemon And Ginger Tea</h5>
	</li>
</ul>

Ginger and lemon tea is a great remedy for sore throats, coughs and colds. The combination of ginger and lemon works as an expectorant, which means that it helps the lungs to expel mucus through coughing.&nbsp;

Lemon also has antibacterial properties that can help fight infection. Ginger is an anti-inflammatory, making it helpful in reducing pain associated with sore throats or sore muscles after exercise. It also helps relieve nausea and vomiting.

I like to make my own herbal tea blends by adding honey, mint leaves and cinnamon sticks to boiling water just before drinking &mdash; this makes it more palatable as well as soothing to the throat! 
&nbsp;

<ul dir="ltr">
	<li>
	<h5>Onion And Garlic</h5>
	</li>
</ul>

Garlic is a well-known immune booster, and onions have anti-inflammatory properties. Both can be used to treat the common cold and flu. Although studies have been inconclusive on whether garlic can actually prevent illness, taking it in large quantities (one clove of fresh garlic daily) may substantially decrease the duration of an infection.

Although studies have been inconclusive on whether garlic can actually prevent illness, taking it in large quantities (one clove of fresh garlic daily) may substantially decrease the duration of an infection. 
&nbsp;

<ul dir="ltr">
	<li>
	<h5 dir="ltr">Chicken Soup</h5>
	</li>
</ul>

Chicken soup is a classic cure-all, not only because it&rsquo;s easy to make but also because it contains a variety of nutrients that the body needs when you&rsquo;re feeling under the weather.

Chicken soup is a great source of protein, and in fact, most soups are good for this since they&rsquo;re usually made with meat stock. Chicken soup has plenty of vitamins and minerals like potassium, which helps regulate your body&rsquo;s fluid balance; zinc which can help fight off cold symptoms; and vitamins A and C which support overall wellbeing.

It&rsquo;s also easy to find chicken broth at many grocery stores now, so making homemade chicken soup doesn&rsquo;t require much effort or time spent driving around looking for ingredients! 
&nbsp;

<ul dir="ltr">
	<li>
	<h5>Herbs</h5>
	</li>
</ul>

Herbs are often used as natural remedies for the common cold, flu and cough. They can help relieve symptoms and speed up recovery time.

Herbs can be used as alternatives to medication, or in conjunction with medication when needed. Herbal medicines don&rsquo;t have side effects like those caused by antibiotics or other drugs that are prescribed for respiratory problems:

<ul>
	<li>Antibiotics kill bacteria but may also kill off good bacteria in your body that may cause other health problems down the road if they&rsquo;re not replaced through probiotic supplements.</li>
	<li>Some over-the-counter medications such as antihistamines have side effects such as drowsiness and dry mouth, which you might want to avoid if you&#39;ll be spending time around children who need supervision at home or school during cold season. 
	&nbsp;</li>
</ul>

<ul dir="ltr">
	<li>
	<h5>Ginger Ale</h5>
	</li>
</ul>

Ginger ale is a great remedy for the common cold, flu and cough. It also works well for nausea and motion sickness. Ginger ale is often used as an ingredient in other drinks (like Moscow Mules), but you can also drink it straight as a home remedy.

Ginger root has been used for centuries as both medicine and food in Asia, Africa, and Europe. Its warming properties are thought to help relieve sore throats, congestion, and stomachaches by stimulating circulation. 
&nbsp;

<ul dir="ltr">
	<li>
	<h5 dir="ltr">Spicy Food</h5>
	</li>
</ul>

Spicy food can help clear mucus, congestion and sinus congestion. It can also clear chest, nasal, and throat congestion to help you breathe better.

Spicy foods that are good for your health include:

<ul>
	<li>Chili peppers (especially cayenne pepper)</li>
	<li>Cinnamon</li>
	<li>Ginger root 
	&nbsp;</li>
</ul>

Honey, lemon and ginger tea: Steep one teaspoon of fresh or dried ginger in boiling water for about 10 minutes. Add half a cup of honey and mix well until it dissolves. Strain through cheesecloth into a mug and add freshly squeezed lemon juice to taste.

Onion Soup: Chop one medium onion finely then saut&eacute; in 1 tablespoon butter until golden brown. Add 3 cups chicken broth (or vegetable if vegetarian) and simmer for 30 minutes on low heat until reduced by half.

Garlic: Crush two cloves of garlic using mortar and pestle or blender.

Chicken Soup: Cook some chicken pieces in water with chopped onions, carrots &amp; celery.

&nbsp;

Bottom Line

The best thing you can do for your body when you&rsquo;re sick is to give it the proper rest and nutrition. The natural remedies above are great ways to do this! It&rsquo;s important not only to take care of yourself as soon as you feel a cold coming on, but also to maintain good health overall. This will ensure that if something like the flu does happen again in the future (because it probably will), your body will be able to fight it off more easily and quickly.

Umna Salah

<a href="https://www.merisehat.pk/disease/whopping-cough">Whooping cough</a> is a very contagious disease, and while the infection is common in infants, people of all ages can contract it.

The symptoms of whooping cough are less severe in adults compared to children. Infants who are not vaccinated are at the highest risk of developing complications and severe symptoms from whooping cough.

&nbsp;

Understanding Adult Whooping Cough

Adults can also be affected by whooping cough; however, it is less severe compared to children<a href="#accordion">[1]</a>.

Their symptoms are less severe in contrast to children because their immunity is stronger from previous infections and vaccinations.

Bordetella pertussis causes whooping cough and this bacteria spread through the air when someone with the infection sneezes or coughs. The symptoms develop five to ten days after being exposed, but for some people, symptoms don&rsquo;t develop for weeks.

Whooping cough has three developmental stages:

&nbsp;

<h5>Stage 1</h5>

The early stage of the disease is very contagious. Furthermore, whooping cough has mild, cold-like symptoms, which last for one to two weeks. For example:

<ul>
	<li>Sneezing</li>
	<li>Runny nose</li>
	<li>Low-grade fever</li>
	<li>Mild cough</li>
	<li>Fatigue</li>
	<li>Watery eyes</li>
</ul>

&nbsp;

<h5>Stage 2</h5>

People develop a persistent and severe cough after some time, and it can leave them gasping for air. The whooping sound of the cough happens when people inhale sharply to catch their breath after coughing a lot. People remain contagious in the second stage, and the symptoms last from one to six weeks.

&nbsp;

<h5>Stage 3</h5>

The cough improves gradually in the final stage and the coughing fits decrease. People are not contagious when they&rsquo;re in stage 3. However, they are at risk of developing other infections, which slows down the process of recovery.

&nbsp;

A doctor diagnoses whooping cough through a person’s medical history and current symptoms.Moreover, doctors misdiagnose whooping cough as a common cold or respiratory infection in most adult cases due to the absence of severe symptoms in adults.However, if a doctor suspects whooping cough in an adult, certain tests are prescribed. These tests include a nasopharyngeal swab, where the doctor collects a sample of the mucus through the nose for the analysis of B. pertussis bacteria.

Whooping cough can lead to insomnia and adults can develop secondary complications from the cough. The violent coughing fits can cause fainting and fractures of the ribs.

The other potential complications in adults are the following:

<ul>
	<li>Difficulty falling asleep or sleepless nights</li>
	<li>Sleep apnea</li>
	<li>Weight loss</li>
	<li>Eye infections</li>
	<li>Pneumonia</li>
</ul>

&nbsp;

The treatment varies based on the duration of the illness and severity of the symptoms, which is usually antibiotics therapy.

Early treatment with antibiotics can reduce the severity and speed up the recovery. Moreover, it also prevents people from transmitting the bacteria. Your physician will prescribe antibiotics to you and your household.

According to CDC, antibacterial treatment is most effective during the first two or three weeks of infection, before the coughing fit starts<a href="#accordion">[2]</a>.&nbsp;

&nbsp;

<ul>
	<li>Whooping cough usually occurs in children, but people of any age can be affected by it, even adults.</li>
	<li>Pertussis has the distinct coughing sound that sounds like a whoop.</li>
	<li>Using cough medications is not recommended in pertussis (whooping cough).</li>
	<li>Vaccinated people can also be carriers of whooping cough.</li>
	<li>Several steps can be taken for the management of pertussis and to prevent it from spreading to others.</li>
</ul>

&nbsp;

[1] Zycinska, K., Cieplak, M., Chmielewska, M., Nitsch-Osuch, A., Klaczkow, A., Hadzik-Blaszczyk, M., Kur, Z. and Wardyn, K.A., 2016. Whooping cough in adults: a series of severe cases. In Pathobiology of Pulmonary Disorders (pp. 47-50). Springer, Cham.

[2] Wirsing von König, C.H., Tacken, A. and Finger, H., 1991. Whooping cough in adults. Deutsche Medizinische Wochenschrift (1946), 116(17), pp.649-653.