The winter months bring the prevalence of whooping cough and its not just babies who are at risk.

Older children and adults can get whooping cough and pass it on to babies, which can be a life threatening infection in infants.

While figures are down this year in the Shoalhaven, with at least a dozen confirmed cases, director of Public Health Curtis Gregory said it was important for parents to monitor their children for the symptoms of whooping cough. 

“We’ve had over the year probably a dozen or so cases in the Shoalhaven, which is down from what we would expect, figures are normally in the twenties,” Mr Gregory said.

“It’s a little bit tricky coming into the flu season, the symptoms are similar to flu and cold symptoms – runny nose, tiredness, mild fever and the most important one is the cough. 

“The cough tends to be persistent, it gets worse and those affected will have uncontrollable fits of coughing and they can even vomit and appear to be choking.”

Mr Gregory wanted to send a clear message to anyone with a lingering cough.

“Stay away from babies until it has being determined if you have whooping cough or not,” he said.

“One of the risks with teenagers and adults is they can have the cough without the whoop.

“Those with a milder dose do not have the same reaction. It can be deceptive and that person can carry it to a baby who is not immunised or a newborn and that is quite a risk.”

Illawarra and Shoalhaven Local Health recommended expectant mothers get vaccinated in the third trimester of their pregnancy at 28 to 32 weeks.

“Newborns up until first vaccination at six to eight weeks are most at risk and to address this we are recommending pregnant women be vaccinated,” Mr Gregory said.

“It gives the baby immunity up until their first vaccine.

“With a newborn coming into a family, check the status of adults’ vaccination who are in regular contact with the baby and make sure they’re up to date. 

“You can make sure your baby is protected by protecting those around the baby.”