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This is the most serious crisis in over 50 years

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Last year, over 32,000 people in Poland contracted whooping cough. In 2023, there were not even a thousand cases. This means a 35-fold increase in the number of patients. Doctors talk about a whooping cough epidemic, but add that it is easy to protect against it – just get vaccinated.

Each coughing attack reminds us of the moments from a week ago – the worst in three-month-old Krystian's life. – It was practically a fight for his life, because he couldn't catch his breath and it was very difficult – says Mrs. Magdalena WÄ…sik, Krystian's mother.

The boy was attacked by the whooping cough bacteria. The one that initially pretends to be a common cold, and two weeks after infection, produces such a thick secretion that babies cannot cope with it and are unable to breathe.

– Apnea can last for a long time, it causes lack of oxygen to the brain and may cause death. However, it may also cause disability in the child – points out Professor Lidia Stopyra, head of the Department of Infectious Diseases and Pediatrics at the Specialist Hospital. Stefan Å»eromski in Krakow.

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Zuzia suffered a stroke at the age of 8. “The paresis of the left part of the body was complete.” Doctors blame COVID-19Adrianna OtrÄ™ba/Fakty TVN

A huge increase in the number of sick people

This is a real threat because we have a whooping cough epidemic. – The most serious crisis regarding this disease in over 50 years. We have not had such a number of cases in a year since the introduction of universal vaccinations – warns Dr. PaweÅ‚ Grzesiowski, Chief Sanitary Inspector.

The number of vaccinations is decreasing, but the number of infected people is increasing. Last year, over 32,000 people fell ill with whooping cough. For comparison, in 2023 there were not even a thousand cases. This means a 35-fold increase in the number of patients.

SEE ALSO: It is four times more infectious than the flu, and the consequences of infection can last for years. RSV virus on the attack

– Now imagine the National Stadium filled with people who are simply choking, coughing and unable to breathe. This is the scale we are talking about – explains Dr. Kamila Ludwikowska from the Department of Pediatrics and Infectious Diseases of the University Clinical Hospital in WrocÅ‚aw.

– Whooping cough is extremely contagious, just like measles. One person can infect up to 17 people – points out Professor Joanna Zajkowska from the Department of Infectious Diseases and Neuroinfections of the University Clinical Hospital in BiaÅ‚ystok.

If adults are banned, they will be tired of coughing, but seniors and the youngest will be at risk. – Vaccination is the only option and the easy way to prevent the disease – points out Professor Lidia Stopyra.

More and more people in Poland suffer from whooping cough, and its complications can be fatal

More and more people in Poland suffer from whooping cough, and its complications can be fatalMarek Nowicki/Fakty TVN

Increasingly frequent resigning from vaccinations, a post-COVID decline in immunity and a natural, cyclical increase in illnesses meant that Dr. Stopyra had a full ward of patients.

Doctors appeal for vaccinations

Adults should get vaccinated every 10 years. The vaccine is not reimbursed. For children it is free and mandatory. For pregnant women – recommended and free. – Every pregnant woman can be vaccinated against whooping cough, which provides immunity to both the woman and the child – emphasizes Jakub GoÅ‚Ä…b from the Ministry of Health.

– Brain hypoxia, rib fractures, bone fractures. I don't know what kind of people would madly abandon vaccinations in children, risking that their child, beautiful, dreamy, born, will be mentally retarded just because he choked in the course of whooping cough – admits Professor Krzysztof Simon from the Department of Infectious Diseases and Hepatology of the Medical University. in WrocÅ‚aw.

READ ALSO: Whooping cough in Poland. An insidious disease confused with a cold

The Chief Sanitary Inspector recommends, among other things, additional vaccination of eighteen-year-olds and reimbursement of the vaccine for adults, since there is no end to the epidemic.

Main photo source: “Fakty” TVN



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