Whooping cough timeline revealed – all the symptoms of the ‘100-day cough’ revealed and how to get a vaccine

THE UK is in the grip of a whooping cough outbreak and experts say it's up to parents to get their kids jabbed to protect them.

It's otherwise known as the ‘100-day cough’ - and here, we have revealed how the symptoms develop from day one to day 100.

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The latest statistics show there were 2,793 cases between January and March in England.

It is a huge surge from 858 cases and one death during the whole of 2023.

Five infant deaths have also been reported.

Experts say that whooping cough tends to surge every five years or so, but The UK Health and Security Agency warned: "The current increase is coming at a time when there has been a steady decline in uptake of the vaccine in pregnant women and in children."

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Pregnant women can get a free vaccine that gives their baby 92 per cent protection from birth.

The six-in-one NHS jab gives more protection at eight, 12 and 16 weeks old with a booster at age three.

Of the whooping cough deaths since 2012, 21 out of 26 were in babies born to unvaccinated mothers.

Symptom stages

The bug, known as pertussis, is a fast-spreading bacterial infection of the lungs and breathing tubes.

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Dr Simon Theobalds, a GP from Manchester, said: "Most viral infections [like whooping cough] last one to two weeks, but for some people it may be longer.

"There are various reasons for this, including the different levels of immunity against infections."

According to the US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, the notoriously long illness progresses through three stages.

The symptoms usually start five to 10 days after you catch the bug.

At first, symptoms are often similar to the common cold, but after about a week, patients will get coughing bouts that last for a few minutes and are worse at night.

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Young babies may also make a distinctive "whoop" or have difficulty breathing.

The cough can bring up thick mucus, which can cause people to be sick.

Young children or babies might turn blue or grey because of difficulty breathing, while adults might become red in the face.

If you or your child’s lips, tongue, face, or skin suddenly turns blue or grey, call 999 or go to A&E immediately.

The condition spreads very easily and can sometimes cause serious problems, including rib fractures, pneumonia and seizures.

By week eight, the violent cough will usually have developed into something milder.

But for some, it can last several months, so it is often dubbed the '100-day cough'.

"If symptoms persist or worsen and you feel more unwell or have high fevers, we recommend a GP appointment to have a full assessment and rule out more serious conditions such as pneumonia or sepsis," Dr Simon added.

Ask for an urgent appointment or call NHS 111 if:

• Your cough is very bad or gets worse very quickly
• You feel very unwell
• You have chest pain
• The side of your neck feels swollen or painful
• You find it difficult to breathe
• You cough up blood

If you do have whooping cough, antibiotics can help - but only if you start taking them within three weeks of your symptoms starting, the NHS says.

Get vaccinated

The best way to protect your family from it is by getting vaccinated.

Jab uptake in pregnant women has fallen to a seven-year low.

It dropped from over 70 per cent in September 2017 to around 58 per cent in September 2023.

Vaccine rates in children have also fallen - especially in parts of London where fewer than three in five kids are fully protected.

Parents have been urged to check that their child is protected, and the UKHSA is reminding mums-to-be to get the jab so their babies are protected at birth.

It is offered as part of the six-in-one jab when babies are eight, 12 and 16 weeks old.

The number of two-year-olds who completed their six-in-one vaccinations as of September 2023 is 92.9 per cent, compared with 96.3 per cent in March 2014.

Dr Gayatri Amirthalingam, UKHSA consultant epidemiologist, said: "Whooping cough can affect people of all ages but for very young infants, it can be particularly serious.

"However, vaccinating pregnant women is highly effective in protecting babies from birth until they can receive their own vaccines.

";Parents can also help protect their children by ensuring they receive their vaccines at the right time or catching up as soon as possible if they have missed any.

"If you're unsure, please check your child's red book or get in touch with your GP surgery."

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How to tackle whooping cough once you have it

There is usually no need to see a GP if you have a cough, according to the NHS.

But you should rest, drink plenty of fluids, and avoid contact with others.

Painkillers like paracetamol or ibuprofen can also be taken, as well as hot lemon and honey drinks and herbal medicine called pelargonium (if over the age of 12).

Pharmacists can also advise on the best cough syrups, medicines, sweets, and supplements.

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You should see your GP if a cough has lasted longer than three weeks, you are losing weight for no reason, or you have a weakened immune system.