Rapid increase in cases whooping cough are recorded in the country, according to the deputy professor of Hygiene and Epidemiology of the Greek National University of Athens, Ghika Mayorkini. “This year, we have as many cases as in the last 20 years”, he says characteristically in an interview.

Speaking to Action 24, the professor attributed the outbreak to “vaccination gaps”.

“The vaccine is with diphtheria and tetanus. Infants start at 2 months, do it at 4-6 months, 18 months, 4-6 years and continue as adults at 18 and every 10 years from there,” says Mr. Mallorca.

Symptoms of whooping cough

Regarding the symptoms of whooping cough, Mr. Majorkinis states that “diagnosis in infants is only by a specialist pediatrician. Whooping cough starts with a simple cold and settles down after 1 week paroxysmal coughsomeone coughs for a long time and he can’t breathe».

According to the professor: “It is a bacterial diseasenot a virus, is a germ that causes the symptoms. It is transmitted by respiratory droplets. Suspicion starts with the cough and one should start antibiotic treatment within two weeks of the onset of the cough”.

Regarding the diagnosis, the professor emphasizes that “it is done by taking a special smear, classic cultures do not look for it but you have to look for it specifically”.