Vaccine-preventable infection
Pertussis
Whooping cough is a bacterial respiratory infection that can be particularly dangerous for infants.
Explore Pertussis on the monitor · Reviewed 2026-10-06
How it spreads
Respiratory particles from infected people during close contact.
Symptoms and context
Prolonged coughing fits; babies may have breathing pauses without a typical whoop.
Prevention
Follow routine and pregnancy vaccination advice and public health instructions after exposure.
When to seek advice
Breathing pauses or difficulty breathing need emergency care; contact a clinician promptly for suspected infection in a baby.
On the desk
No reviewed event summary is currently listed for this category. Search its collected reporting.
Read the original guidance
This is general information. Current local health guidance and professional assessment take priority for individual decisions.