Wellness or Medical Condition - Additional reported instances of whooping cough; health official encourages immunization.
Whooping cough is highly contagious. In adolescents and adults, the condition typically results in a severe and persistent cough, but infants can experience severe complications. Adults often spread this disease too.
The President of the Bavarian State Office for Health and Food Safety (LGL), Christian Weidner, noted, "Whooping cough is a bacterial infection that's transmitted through airborne droplets. The intense coughing fits that come with this disease can make vomiting occur and even cause hernias or broken ribs." Serious health issues like pneumonia or even respiratory failure are more likely to happen in babies, especially in their first year of life.
Gerlach highlighted that newborns can be protected before birth through their mother's vaccination. Surrounding them with more vaccinated individuals also aids in protection. Children and adults should follow the recommendation of the Standing Committee on Vaccination (STIKO) to receive whooping cough vaccinations.
Weidner continued, "Vaccines don't guarantee lifelong protection, just like after recovering from a disease." The primary goal is to immunize babies and young children as quickly and thoroughly as possible, along with booster shots at pre-school and teenage ages. Vaccinating adults also benefits them individually while also safeguarding children.
To immunize infants, three vaccinations are recommended at two, four, and eleven months of age. These vaccines also protect against tetanus, diphtheria, polio, Haemophilus influenzae type b and hepatitis B. Booster shots occur later. Vaccinations against whooping cough are also critical for pregnant women, as they secure the mother's health and pass antibodies to the baby at birth.
For more information on vaccinations, visit this link.
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Source: www.stern.de