Whooping cough infections continue to rise across NSW, with NSW Health encouraging parents to take steps to protect their newborn baby.

Whooping cough is a bacterial infection that spreads from one person to another and causes severe episodes of coughing.

The symptoms of Whooping cough in babies and children has 3 distinct phases including Stage 1 – a build-up of mucus with a runny nose, sneezing and mild cough which lasts about one week, Stage 2 see coughing spells that can last for up to 10 weeks and Stage 3 the recovery as the cough becomes less frequent.

Young children are particularly at risk from whooping cough and in severe cases, these pauses may be life-threatening and the baby may turn blue.

If babies or children have any breathing difficulties call triple zero (000) immediately and follow the operator’s instructions.

NSW Health state if you are pregnant, the free whooping cough vaccine is available to you during pregnancy and protects your newborn from birth. Talk to your care provider today about your whooping cough vaccination. It is free, easy, safe and recommended anytime between 20 and 32 weeks.

They says when your baby arrives, keeping up to date with recommended vaccines is the best way to protect them. The free whooping cough vaccine for newborns is given at 6 weeks.

If you’re concerned about your baby’s health, contact your doctor or call healthdirect on 1800 022 222 anytime, day or night, for medical advice.