KUALA LUMPUR: Malaysians must stay vigilant and take appropriate preventive measures to reduce the transmission of pertussis.
The University Malaya Medical Centre (UMMC) consultant paediatric respiratory physician Dr Eg Kah Peng said that despite the current situation, the pertussis infection in the country is under control.
"Pertussis is transmitted by respiratory droplets that can be spread by coughing or sneezing. This germ can infect all age groups, but young children who did not complete their immunisation are at higher risk.
"Asymptomatic infection may contribute to transmission between household contacts, often from the carers to children.
"As such, parents must ensure their children receive complete immunisation per the national schedule. Those who missed their immunisation should get a catch-up vaccination," she said in reply to the New Straits Times.
Dr Eg said pertussis, also known as whooping cough, is a highly contagious respiratory infection caused by a germ named Bordetella pertussis.
A person usually develops symptoms about seven to 10 days after exposure.
"People with respiratory symptoms should cover their nose and mouth when coughing or sneezing, wash hands frequently and avoid contacting the high-risk group.
"Those whose cough does not get better should seek treatment early to prevent complications and reduce the spread of the disease."
She said typical symptoms of pertussis appear in three stages.
Stage One, which lasts between one and two weeks, Dr Eg said the symptoms include runny nose, sneezing, low-grade or no fever and mild cough.
"It may look similar to a common cold, but the cough usually worsens."
In Stage Two, which lasts between one and two months, the symptoms include cough becoming more severe.
"There may be episodes of a prolonged, persistent cough followed by a high-pitched noise "whoop'" when the person is trying to catch one's breath. Sometimes, a young child may turn blue due to a lack of oxygen or vomit after a severe cough.
"Stage Three, which lasts weeks to months, is a recovery stage when a person slowly gets better."
She said a person with severe pertussis may develop complications such as lung and brain infections, seizures or even death.
Dr Eg added that pertussis is a vaccine-preventable disease, and immunisation towards pertussis significantly reduces the risk of infection and the disease severity if a person gets infected.
"In Malaysia, pertussis vaccine is given together with diphtheria, tetanus, Haemophilus influenzae type B and hepatitis B vaccines in one injection at ages of two, three, five and 18 months," she said, adding that pertussis could be treated with a specific group of antibiotics and an early treatment might prevent serious complications.
The disease transmission, Dr Eg said, could also be prevented by practising hand hygiene and good cough etiquette.