[Spot! Health] Our Child with Fever and Cough, Not the Flu or Corona?

Pertussis Outbreaks Occur in Some Areas
"Pertussis Vaccination Recommended"

As whooping cough outbreaks increase in some areas recently, experts advise strict adherence to infection control guidelines and vaccination.

The photo is unrelated to the article content. [Image provided by Pixabay]

According to Ewha Womans University Seoul Hospital on the 19th, whooping cough, meaning "coughing for a hundred days," is a disease caused by infection with Bordetella pertussis and is classified as a second-class legal respiratory infectious disease. Its symptoms resemble those of a cold but are characterized by paroxysmal coughing lasting more than 14 days. The mortality rate is higher in younger age groups, with the highest mortality seen in children under one year old. Although whooping cough is included in the national essential vaccination program, its effectiveness decreases and vaccination rates are lower among adolescents and adults.

As whooping cough cases have recently increased mainly in the Gyeongnam region, the Korea Disease Control and Prevention Agency (KDCA) and local governments have taken measures. According to the KDCA, 83 whooping cough cases have occurred this year, about three times more than the 25 cases reported last year. Most patients are known to be children under 12 years old.

Whooping cough symptoms appear after an incubation period of 3 to 12 days, with the highest infectivity in the early stage of infection. Since starting treatment during the incubation period is key to reducing symptoms and complications, it is important to seek diagnosis and treatment from a specialist even if there are no symptoms immediately after contact with an infected person.

Ji-hyun Lee, a pediatric infectious disease specialist and professor at Ewha Womans University Seoul Hospital’s Department of Pediatrics and Adolescents, said, "Whooping cough mainly occurs in children and is transmitted from adolescents or adults who have not been properly vaccinated. Adults should strictly follow infection control guidelines first for the sake of children."

If infected with whooping cough, infants under 3 months old or children with underlying conditions should be hospitalized. Patients receiving antibiotic treatment require isolation for at least five days.

Professor Lee emphasized, "If children have fever and cough symptoms, whooping cough should be suspected in addition to colds, flu, and COVID-19, and paroxysmal coughing strongly suggests whooping cough. Because whooping cough is highly contagious, there is a risk of group infections in daycare centers or schools, so caution is necessary." She explained that whooping cough symptoms worsen gradually, with a 'whooping' sound at the end of coughing, facial redness, and bloodshot eyes.

Since neglecting whooping cough symptoms can lead to complications, prompt treatment is necessary. Professor Lee advised, "It is important to receive a quick and accurate diagnosis and start treatment immediately to suppress symptoms and prevent complications such as pneumonia or otitis media."

Vaccination against whooping cough is also necessary. Professor Lee recommended, "The DTaP vaccine for whooping cough is administered three times at 2, 4, and 6 months of age, with a fourth dose between 15 and 18 months. The fifth dose is given at 4 to 6 years old, and the sixth dose at 11 to 12 years old, followed by booster shots every 10 years. For children aged 4 to 12 years, who are in the recommended period for additional whooping cough vaccinations (5th and 6th doses), it is advisable to actively receive additional preventive vaccinations."

Professor Lee Ji-hyun, Department of Pediatrics and Adolescents, Ewha Womans University Seoul Hospital. [Photo by Ewha Medical Center]

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