Parents in Toronto have been alerted to be watchful for symptoms of whooping cough in children; this alert has been sounded after recent reports, of increase in such cases in the previous year.
A recent report has established the increase in cases - from 178 cases in 2005 to 669 cases in 2006.According to Dr. Michael Finkelstein, associate medical officer of health, better knowledge about the illness and improved detection procedures have resulted in more numbers of cases being recorded.
The illness has these common symptoms: runny nose and cough which gradually gets severe, pronounced by loss of breath or vomiting.
A vaccine is thought to remedy the infection though its effect may not be long-lasting. The need of the hour will be antibiotics, which can stop the infection from spreading to others, as well as alleviate the symptoms.
Source-Medindia
SAV
