Whooping cough

Also known as pertussis, this is a feared infectious disease that can strike the respiratory system and affect other organs of the body.

It has three stages-an initial stage with watery runny nose and eyes, a progressive cough stage with characteristic (sometimes severe) coughing spells, and (if the child survives) a recovery stage.

The disease may last for 2-6 weeks.

Therapy is supportive and many young infants need hospitalization if the coughing becomes severe.

Immunization with DPT (diphtheria-pertussis-tetanus) vaccine provides protection.

With pertussis, an ounce of prevention is worth a pound of cure (or, if you are metrically inclined, a gram of prevention is worth a kilo of cure).

Have your child immunized!