Cases of highly contagious ‘100 day cough’ are rising in the UK

With so many of us having the sniffles at the moment, it's hardly surprising that cases of a contagious cough are up 250 percent in the UK.

But what we refer to as the winter cold is not the same as the Whooping Cough.

Also known as the '100-day cough', the virus is a bacterial infection of the lungs and breathing tubes.

"It spreads very easily and can sometimes cause serious problems," the NHS has warned.

First signs of a whooping cough are similar to a cold - runny nose, sore throat etc.

And parents need to be aware that 'it's important for babies and children to get vaccinated against it', according to the NHS.

However, after a week, children can get coughing fits that last for a few minutes and are worse at night.

"Your child may make a 'whoop' sound – a gasp for breath between coughs (young babies and some adults may not 'whoop')," the health service said.

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Reports of the 100-day-cough have tripled in cases this year and around 716 cases have been documented over the past five months.

Professor Helen Bedford - an expert in child public health at University College London - has warned: "As expected, we are now seeing cases of Whooping Cough increase again, so it's vital pregnant women ensure they get vaccinated to protect their baby.

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"Whooping Cough in young babies can be very serious and vaccinating their mothers in pregnancy is the only way of ensuring they are protected in the first few months."

It's important to see a doctor if you or your child are:

• Struggling to breathe
• Turning blue or purple
• Coughing violently
• Coughing rapidly, over and over
• Not drinking enough fluids

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Thankfully, it's one of the most preventable diseases in the world once you get your vaccine.

For vaccinated people:

• The cough usually won’t last as many days
• Coughing fits, whooping, and vomiting after coughing fits are less common
• Apnea and cyanosis are less common (in vaccinated babies and children)

"Recovery from whooping cough can be slow. The cough becomes milder and less common as you get better," according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC).

"Coughing fits may stop for a while but can return if you get other respiratory infections. Coughing fits can return many months after the whooping cough illness started."

For more information, visit the NHS website here.