A devastated mother has issued a heartfelt plea to parents after her newborn baby died from whooping cough, a disease that could have been prevented with vaccination.
The grieving mum, whose identity has been withheld, described the agonising loss of her child just weeks after birth. "I never imagined this could happen," she said. "Whooping cough is often dismissed as just a bad cough, but it took my baby's life."
The Silent Threat to Infants
Whooping cough, medically known as pertussis, is a highly contagious respiratory infection that poses severe risks to unvaccinated infants. Babies under six months are particularly vulnerable as they haven't yet completed their vaccination schedule.
The mother shared her tragic story to raise awareness: "My baby seemed perfectly healthy at birth. Within days, they developed what we thought was a cold. It escalated so quickly - the coughing fits were terrifying."
NHS Vaccination Programme
The NHS offers free whooping cough vaccinations to pregnant women between 16 and 32 weeks. This protects newborns during their most vulnerable first months until they can receive their own vaccinations at eight weeks old.
"I want every parent to know how crucial these vaccinations are," the mother urged. "If my story can prevent even one family from experiencing this pain, then my baby's life won't have been in vain."
Symptoms Every Parent Should Know
- Initial cold-like symptoms (runny nose, mild fever)
- Intense coughing fits that may cause vomiting
- The characteristic "whoop" sound when gasping for air
- Difficulty breathing between coughs
- Bluish skin colour from oxygen deprivation
Health experts emphasise that early diagnosis and treatment are critical. "If your baby shows any of these symptoms, seek medical attention immediately," advised a paediatric specialist.
