Pertussis, i.e. whooping cough. It is caused by a bacterium called Bordetella pertussis, which is spread by droplet infection. It can also occur in (vaccinated) adults, causing weeks of inexplicable stubborn, persistent coughing, but in unvaccinated young children it can cause serious breathing problems, dehydration, lack of oxygen and respiratory arrest.
This is not a minor cold. Due to the danger of serious complications, hospital admission and treatment is mandatory for babies younger than 6 months!
This video shows the typical whooping cough:
For this reason, it is mandatory to vaccinate children against whooping cough everywhere in the world, and it is also part of the National Immunization Program in Hungary. Both vaccinations and getting through the actual infection only provide protection for a few years. Babies receive their first DPTa vaccine at 2 months of age.
But what about newborns younger than that?
Their protection can be ensured by vaccinating the pregnant mother.
Vaccines contain only certain components of pathogens, i.e. they cannot cause infection. The immune system reacts to these substances and starts producing antibodies that provide protection against the real infection. The big deal is that these antibodies (produced by the mother) pass through the placenta to the fetus, so the fetus will also be protected against whooping cough. The same effect also applies during breastfeeding, the antibodies are also present in breast milk, which also serves to protect the fetus. (This is called passive immunization, i.e. the baby receives the protective antibodies ready from the mother)
Based on the professional recommendation of the Association of Hungarian Pediatricians (June 2024), in order to protect the baby, it is recommended for all expectant mothers to take the booster vaccination against whooping cough between the 27th and 36th pregnancy weeks!
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