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'I Can't Seem To Fight This Off': Readers' Experiences Of Whooping Cough
Five babies in England have died after being diagnosed with whooping cough, health officials have said, amid a sharp rise in cases.
More than 2,700 whooping cough cases have been reported across England so far in 2024 – more than three times the number recorded in the whole of last year. UK Health Security Agency (UKHSA) figures show 2,793 cases were reported to the end of March, compared with 858 cases for the whole of 2023.
Scores of people shared their experiences with the Guardian, with many describing hacking coughs that left them feeling as if they couldn't breathe. Some were prescribed antibiotics to help with the infection but many said that when they saw their GPs, it was too late for a course of medication to be effective. Others expressed their concern over the lack of testing and official diagnosis.
With cases of whooping cough on the rise in adults and children, four people share their experience of the "100-day cough".
'It's like drowning in phlegm'For Rachi Weerasinghe, 56, who is still coughing two months on from becoming ill, the sensation when he can't catch his breath feels as if he's "drowning in phlegm".
His symptoms started in the middle of March while he was commuting into London, where he works as a management consultant. "I felt like I was coming down with something nasty," said Weerasinghe, who lives in Hinchley Wood, Surrey.
A week later after being "hit by an illness like no other" with hot and cold sweats, a dizzying fever and coughing fits that would "sometimes last 15 minutes", he booked a doctor's appointment.
"I ended up seeing the GP three times – each time a different person," he said. "I was prescribed a round of antibiotics only to return a week later for another set of stronger ones. The last person I saw said it might be whooping cough and I was given another course of antibiotics, this time azithromycin.
"I have arthritis and am immunocompromised, so it's quite routine for me to go to the GP with a chest infection. I'm normally quite healthy and can manage through exercise, but I can't seem to fight this off and still have some difficulty speaking."
'We're still waiting for the results'Anna Zueva, 45, from Shipley, West Yorkshire, mentioned her "worry" over her children having whooping cough as well as herself. Her son and daughter, 13 and seven, both developed symptoms after her own started on 10 March.
Zueva, who works as a senior lecturer in management at the University of Huddersfield, and has asthma, said she saw a nurse at her local surgery who told her that her illness was "probably viral" and medication would be "of no use". Over the next two weeks her symptoms worsened and she saw her GP, who said there was a potential for whooping cough and prescribed her antibiotics.
On the same day her children started experiencing a slight fever that went away quickly, followed by a worsening cough. With the family travelling on 28 March to see elderly relatives in Northern Ireland, Zueva started "panicking" that the children might be infectious.
The evening before they were due to leave she called 111 and was given an 8am telephone appointment with her GP the next day. "They agreed to prescribe my children antibiotics over the phone," she said. "Obtaining these from pharmacists, however, was a challenge as most were out of stock due to supply issues.
"For my son we managed to get them at the third pharmacy we visited. For my daughter, who needed a special dose because of her age and weight, we stopped at six or seven. In the end we got them from a pharmacy [after we arrived] in Northern Ireland."
On the same day she received a call from a government health agency saying they would be sent test kits for the children to check for whooping cough.
"[The kits] didn't arrive till mid-April and even though we sent them back immediately, we're still waiting for the results. The preventive measures against something as terrible as whooping cough seem to be nonexistent, and there doesn't seem to be a facility for timely tests," Zueva said.
"My children only developed a moderate cough. I think it helped that they were vaccinated and I think it's hugely important that people are. I would love to see boosters made available to everyone, though."
'I collapsed and had a black eye for two weeks' Michael Angove, 51, from Devizes, Wiltshire. Photograph: Michael Angove/Guardian communityLike Zueva, Michael Angove was told he would be sent a whooping cough test kit but "it didn't show up". His symptoms had started in early March when he had a "tickly cough" and his chest began "feeling raw".
During the third week the cough started to wake him up in the middle of the night. "One time I woke up and tried to get up as I struggled to inhale," said the 51-year-old, who lives in Devizes, Wiltshire.
"The very next moment I was coming around on the floor with blood on my head and on the carpet. I didn't know if I was in a dream, but later realised I had collapsed on to the bedstead and hit my brow. The damage was superficial but I had a severe looking black eye for two weeks. It was terrifying."
On the same day Angove called his GP and mentioned that his neighbour had similar symptoms. He was referred to a local walk-in centre later that day and he said the doctor "knew exactly" what he was describing, and prescribed antibiotics. "He said it was whooping cough and the government would send me a test kit so I could provide a sample in order to get a formal diagnosis."
Two weeks later, after the test had not arrived, he followed up with his GP surgery "who couldn't explain" what had happened to the test. He was provided with a number to call but "all [my] calls were left unanswered – they just rang and rang".
"My care was very good but I feel the official numbers for this year won't be accurate because I didn't get a test," Angove said. "I know so many people here who have had whooping cough symptoms for 60 to 90 days who might not have been tested. I'm still waiting, nearly two months on."
'I said to the consultant I thought I had whooping cough and he didn't seem to take me seriously' Joanne Noton, 43, a personal trainer from north-east Lincolnshire, said her cough became 'uncontrollable'. Photograph: Joanne Noton/Guardian communityFor some readers, the concern has been whether they have whooping cough or not.
On 20 February after coming into contact with a client who was coughing, Joanne Noton, 43, a personal trainer from north-east Lincolnshire, developed a "chesty cough with phlegm". A week later the cough became "uncontrollable", and she went to a GP who prescribed amoxicillin for a suspected chest infection.
During this time she developed the "distinctive whoop" and had to cancel her classes. In the evenings she began vomiting due to the "harshness" of the coughing, and by week four, she went to her GP with severe abdominal pain.
"He sent me to A&E and [I waited] for three hours," she said. "There were other people who were violently coughing and holding sick bowls. They thought I had a bowel blockage but a scan showed I had a rib cartilage fracture from excessive coughing.
"I said to the consultant I thought I had whooping cough and he didn't seem to take me seriously. It was almost as if what I said wasn't valid."
In April, after two months of coughing and a chest X-ray showing no signs of infection, Noton noticed she was losing her breath "really quickly" after a burst of activity. "I went to see a nurse and she believes I have the onset of asthma as a result of whooping cough, even though my original diagnosis was bronchitis," she said.
"I am a very fit person, as it's part of my job, so all of this came as a shock. I feel better in myself now and am back to working and exercising, but I'm still coughing. I feel a bit like I've not been listened to and I wish I pushed more to get tested."
Pneumonia: What To Know
Pneumonia is a lung infection that can range from mild to so serious that you have to go to the hospital. It happens when an infection causes air sacs in your lungs (the alveoli) and tubes in your airways that connect to them (bronchioles) to fill with fluid or pus. That can make it hard for you to breathe in enough oxygen.
Anyone can get this lung infection. But children younger than 2 and people over 65 are at higher risk. That's because their immune systems might not be strong enough to fight it. Lifestyle habits, like smoking cigarettes and drinking too much alcohol, can also raise your chances of getting pneumonia.
You can get pneumonia in one or both lungs. Pneumonia in both lungs is sometimes called bilateral pneumonia or double pneumonia. You can also have pneumonia and not know it. This is sometimes called walking pneumonia.
Causes include bacteria, viruses, and fungi. If your pneumonia results from bacteria or a virus, you can spread it to someone else.
Pneumonia can be grouped into types based on what caused it. Many things can lead to pneumonia, but some of the most common are:
Bacterial pneumonia
More people get this type of pneumonia than any other. While several types of bacteria can cause it, the most common in the U.S. Is streptococcus. People sometimes get bacterial pneumonia after a viral infection like a cold or the flu.
Viral pneumonia
Viruses, such as cold and flu viruses, cause about a third of all cases of pneumonia. They're the most common cause of the condition in children under 5. This type of infection isn't usually as serious as bacterial pneumonia, but it can be. Viral pneumonia raises your risk of also getting bacterial pneumonia.
Fungal pneumonia
Fungi found in dirt or bird poop can also cause a pneumonia infection. This type is more likely to affect people with weaker immune systems, such as those who have long-lasting health problems.
Walking pneumonia
This is a nickname for a less serious type that's officially called mycoplasma pneumonia. It's named for the bacteria that causes it. Young adults and older children most often get this type, which often doesn't require bed rest.
Your symptoms can vary, depending on the cause of your pneumonia, your age, and your overall health. They usually develop over several days.
Common signs of pneumonia include:
Along with these symptoms, older adults and people with weak immune systems might be confused or have problems with thinking. They might also have a lower-than-usual body temperature.
The symptoms of viral pneumonia tend to come on slowly, and they are often mild at first. They may include:
If you have trouble breathing, coughing that doesn't stop, chest pain, or a fever of 102 F or higher, see your doctor.
Symptoms of pneumonia in babies
Babies with pneumonia may not show any symptoms. But they could seem tired or restless. They might also have a cough, fever, vomiting, or trouble breathing. It also may be hard for them to eat.
You get pneumonia when a potentially harmful substance that your body could usually fight off overwhelms your immune system and infects your lungs.
Viruses that can lead to viral pneumonia include:
Causes of bacterial pneumonia include:
Fungal pneumonia causes include:
Aspiration pneumonia
You can get aspiration pneumonia when you breathe in a foreign substance, like vomit, saliva, or food. You're more likely to get it if something has interfered with your gag reflex, such as a brain injury or overuse of drugs or alcohol.
Is pneumonia contagious?
Bacterial and viral types of pneumonia are contagious. The germs that cause them may spread through the air when someone who is infected talks, coughs, or sneezes. You might also get pneumonia after touching a surface that has the germs on it, then touching your mouth or nose.
Can the flu turn into pneumonia?
Influenza viruses can cause pneumonia, particularly in people who have other health conditions or are at higher risk of it for another reason
Can COVID turn into pneumonia?
The virus that causes COVID-19 can lead to pneumonia. It can also make you more prone to get an infection from other types of viruses or bacteria by weakening your immune system or causing you to need a ventilator.
Hospital-acquired pneumonia
If you get pneumonia while you're in a hospital, that's called hospital-acquired pneumonia. It tends to be more serious, since it can be caused by antibiotic-resistant bacteria and those who get it have other health issues. You might also hear the term health care-associated pneumonia. This refers more broadly to pneumonia you catch while in any health care facility, such as a long-term care facility or dialysis center.
Ventilator-associated pneumonia
You have ventilator-associated pneumonia if you get the infection while using a ventilator, a machine that helps you breathe.
Community-acquired pneumonia
Most cases are what's called community-acquired pneumonia, which means you didn't get it in a hospital.
Anybody can get pneumonia , though it most commonly affects babies and people over 65.
You're also at higher risk if you:
Your doctor will start with questions about your symptoms and your medical history, like whether you smoke and whether you've been around sick people at home, school, or work. Then, they'll listen to your lungs. If you have pneumonia, they might hear cracking, bubbling, or rumbling sounds when you breathe in.
If your doctor thinks you might have pneumonia, they'll probably give you tests, including:
If your symptoms started in the hospital or you have other health problems, your doctor might give you more tests, such as:
Pneumonia vs. Bronchitis
Like pneumonia, bronchitis can give you a long-lasting cough, fever, fatigue, and chest pain. You can also get pneumonia after having bronchitis. But bronchitis, which results from inflammation in the tubes that carry air to your lungs, tends to be much less serious. See your doctor if you have these symptoms so they can figure out which condition you have and how best to treat it.
Pneumonia can have several complications, including:
Your treatment will depend on what caused your pneumonia, how serious it is, and your overall health. Most people are able to recover at home with rest and medication.
Pneumonia medication
If you have bacterial pneumonia, you'll get antibiotics. Make sure you take all of the medicine your doctor gives you, even if you start to feel better before you're through with it.
If you have viral pneumonia, antibiotics won't help. You'll need to rest, drink a lot of fluids, and take medicine for your fever. Antiviral medications can work well against some, but not all, of the viruses that cause pneumonia.
Your doctor will prescribe antifungal medication to treat fungal pneumonia.
Atypical pneumonia treatment
Atypical pneumonia is caused by bacteria that are hard for doctors to detect with standard methods, such as mycoplasma and legionella. With a mild case, you may be able to recover with rest and self-care at home. If it's more serious, your doctor will treat it with antibiotics.
Pneumonia nebulizer
Your doctor may prescribe a nebulizer or inhaler to you or your child to help with breathing. But this won't treat the pneumonia itself.
Hospitalization for pneumonia
If your symptoms are serious or if you have other conditions that make you more likely to have complications, your doctor may send you to the hospital. While you're there, your doctor will probably give you fluids or antibiotics through an IV. You may need oxygen therapy or breathing treatments. And the doctors might need to drain fluid from your lungs.
How long does pneumonia last?
Depending on what type of pneumonia you have and how sick you are, it could take anywhere from a week to a month or more to recover. You'll probably feel fatigued for a month or so. Most people continue to feel tired for about a month. You need lots of rest while you're recovering, so don't try to rush it. Ask your doctor when you can return to your usual activities. Limit contact with other people while you're sick so you don't spread the germs that cause pneumonia.
Signs that pneumonia is improving
You can tell you're recovering when your symptoms improve. While you'll probably be tired for a while, you should notice:
There are some things you can do at home to ease your symptoms and help you recover:
To avoid pneumonia and the germs that can cause it, take these steps:
Pneumonia vaccine
There are two types of vaccines that can prevent infection with the pneumococcus bacteria, the most common cause of bacterial pneumonia. They're recommended for:
Children under 2, kids ages 2-5 who are at high risk for pneumonia, and those who go to group child care should also get a pneumonia vaccine.
A flu shot can also help prevent pneumonia in both kids and adults. So can vaccines that protect against:
Pneumonia is a lung infection most often caused by bacteria or a virus. It may be mild enough that you can recover at home, or serious enough to put you in a hospital. Vaccines can protect you against pneumonia. See a doctor if you have trouble breathing, chest pain, a high fever, or a cough that doesn't go away.
What are the 4 stages of pneumonia symptoms?
Bacterial pneumonia has four stages:
Pneumonia vaccine: How often?
Three pneumonia (pneumococcal) vaccines are widely used in the U.S.: PCV15, PCV20, and PCV23. PCV13 is an older vaccine, but it is still used occasionally. Doctors may use them for different people, depending on their age and health condition:
Your doctor can tell you how many shots you need and when.
Woman Speaks Of Her Trauma After She Almost Died After Nightmare Botched Weight Loss Surgery
Leanne O'Driscoll's dream of quickly losing weight via surgery in Turkey turned into a nightmare when she went into sceptic shock and suffered internal bleeding
Leanne O'Driscoll, 43, said she had reached breaking point with her weight (Image: Jam Press)
A woman has urged people not to get weight loss surgery abroad following a botched procedure in Turkey.
Leanne O'Driscoll, 43, from West Ireland, said she had reached "breaking point" with her weight and wanted took a drastic solution to shed the pounds. She had tried various diets with no results and found herself at 16st 10lbs at her heaviest.
She researched options and discovered that weight loss surgery in Ireland had a 10-year waiting list. But eager to start her new life, the mum-of-three came across a cheaper alternative costing £2,400 in Turkey and the operation was available right away. Despite having high hopes for the procedure, Leanne woke up in a nightmare.
Leanne wanted a drastic solution to her weight problem (Image:
Jam Press)"I kept vomiting blood and my body was wracked with pain," she told What'sTheJam. I feared the worst, but the nurses kept telling me it was normal. After one week, I had recovered enough to go home. But on the flight, I was shivering cold and before I went to bed, I collapsed and fell unconscious."
Believing herself to be dehydrated, she called her sister after regaining consciousness and got some water. But when her sister climbed the stairs, she found Leanne on the floor. Leanne said: "My sister screamed to ring for an ambulance. Once again, I slipped into unconsciousness."
Leanne felt immense pain following the surgery (Image:
Jam Press)At the hospital, scans revealed that her spleen had been damaged during the procedure and her body had entered in sceptic shock. Due to the internal bleeding, the 43-year-old had to receive 11 pints of blood in an emergency transfusion.
Sadly, there was no saving her spleen and this had to be removed. After one week, Leanne was able to go back home – and while recovered, the weight was "rapidly" falling off. Leanne said: "I looked like a skeleton and my colleagues struggled to recognise me. One told me they had no idea who I was. I felt like a shell of myself and my hunger was all over the place. Emotionally, I wanted to eat, but my body kept telling me I couldn't."
Leanne is sharing her story in the hopes that others do not go abroad for surgery (Image:
Jam Press)Now, she's sharing her harrowing ordeal to warn others against the surgery – especially as it's her "biggest regret" in life. She added: "I wish I'd never had the operation. I'll be on antibiotics for the rest of life, something which I almost lost, because I have no immunity anymore. Even a minor infection could kill me I'm lucky to be alive – don't make the same mistake as me."
According to the NHS, sepsis is a life-threatening infection that can be hard to spot. There are lots of possible symptoms that mimic other conditions, including flu-or chest infections. If you think you or someone you look after has symptoms of sepsis, call 999 or go to A&E.
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