Customer question:
Is whooping cough seriously dangerous in older people? Anonymous customer's question
Pharmacist's answer:
Whooping cough in older people can pose a serious risk of complications, but it is not necessarily a severe danger to all older people. The risk level of whooping cough in older people depends on several factors, including age, general health, immune system, and other medical conditions.
Older adults who get whooping cough may be more susceptible to severe complications because of an already weakened immune system and possibly other health problems. Possible complications of whooping cough in the elderly can include pneumonia, heart problems, loss of consciousness, convulsions, rupture of the lung or brain, and blood pressure problems.
In addition, whooping cough can also risk spreading the infection to others, especially to more vulnerable groups such as newborns, infants, and people with weak immune systems. Nevertheless, whooping cough will not cause severe complications in everyone. Some older adults can recover without severe consequences, especially if vaccinated or have a robust immune system.
Seniors who show symptoms of whooping cough or have been exposed to the infection must seek medical attention. The doctor can assess the severity of the disease, advise on treatment, and monitor possible complications. In addition, prevention is critical, so the elderly are recommended to be vaccinated against whooping cough and to avoid contact with people showing symptoms of infection.
What complications can older people get from whooping cough?
Whooping cough in older people can cause various complications, which can be severe and, in some cases, even life-threatening. Some of the complications that can occur in older people due to whooping cough include:
- Pneumonia: one of the most common complications of whooping cough in the elderly is pneumonia. Infection with the bacterium Bordetella pertussis can lead to secondary bacterial pneumonia, which can be severe and require appropriate treatment.
- Loss of consciousness: An intense paroxysmal cough in older people can cause loss or short-term unconsciousness.
- Heart problems: In some older adults, whooping cough can cause heart problems such as arrhythmias or heart failure, especially in people with pre-existing heart problems.
- Rupture of the lung or abdomen: An intense cough can cause a rupture of the lung or abdomen, a severe complication requiring urgent medical treatment.
- Blood pressure problems: Whooping cough can cause blood pressure problems, such as hypertension or hypotension, in some older people.
- Suffocation: An intense cough can rarely cause suffocation, especially in the elderly with breathing or other health problems.
Can older adults get a whooping cough vaccine later in life?
Yes, although the pertussis vaccine is usually given in childhood as part of routine vaccination, it is possible and recommended that older adults also get vaccinated if they have not been vaccinated or do not have complete immunity. In older adults, the pertussis vaccine also contains a component to protect against diphtheria and tetanus, known as the DTaP vaccine, is usually used.
Older adults who did not receive the pertussis vaccine in childhood or who have not been vaccinated in the past decades may be recommended to get vaccinated. Vaccination may also be recommended if a person does not know if they have been vaccinated or does not know their pertussis immunization status. Vaccination may be recommended for older adults in contact with newborns or infants to protect these more at-risk groups from infection. Healthcare workers and others exposed to the risk of infection or the spread of infection can also be vaccinated against whooping cough.
How do we identify whooping cough in older people?
Recognizing whooping cough in older people can be challenging, as the symptoms can vary and may be less specific than in children. Nevertheless, there are some signs and symptoms to look out for when identifying whooping cough in older people:
- Paroxysmal cough: One key sign of whooping cough is a paroxysmal cough that can be intense, continuous, and occur in attacks. The cough can be so strong that it causes breathing problems or vomiting.
- General malaise: Older adults with whooping cough may feel run down, tired, or have general body aches.
- Breathing problems: An intense cough can cause breathing problems or shortness of breath.
- Unwanted symptoms: Besides coughing, older adults with whooping cough may experience other symptoms such as nasal congestion, runny nose, sneezing, fever, or general malaise.
- Vomiting or feeding problems: An intense cough can trigger vomiting or cause feeding problems.
Interesting reading: Pertussis in adults
Interesting reading: How to recognize whooping cough
