Prophylaxis
Since this disease is a serious illness, a dead vaccine against whooping cough is available. According to the STIKO (permanent vaccination commission of the Robert Koch Institute )-vaccination calendar, basic immunization starts after the completion of the 2nd month of life. Further vaccinations during the course of the disease are necessary.
To avoid whooping cough, all babies should be vaccinated at the age of 3 months. In most cases there is no lifelong absolutely safe vaccination protection, but the course of the disease is mitigated. It is particularly important to protect yourself against the disease as an adult.
Infected adults can unknowingly transmit the infection to children who do not yet have sufficient immune protection. Immune protection is provided by a dead vaccine. It is usually administered to children after the age of 2 months, but can also be administered at a later date if the vaccination is missed.
In adulthood a booster vaccination is necessary once in a lifetime after basic immunization in childhood. The antibody count in the blood can be used to prove immunity to whooping cough. This is an antibody detection against the bacterium Bordatella Pertussis.
The vaccination of the population serves to close existing vaccination gaps. This ensures protection against the pathogen in large parts of the population and epidemics occur less frequently. The pathogen can therefore no longer spread so quickly.
If babies or children are not vaccinated and have come into contact with an infectious agent, so-called chemoprophylaxis can be taken. An antibiotic is administered to prevent or mitigate the onset of the disease.
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