The UK Health Security Agency (UKHSA) has issued a warning after the number of whooping cough cases soared at the start of the year.
Health officials reported 553 new cases of whooping cough in January. That's more than half of the total number of cases recorded last year, which stood at 858 cases for the whole of 2023.
Whooping cough - a bacterial infection of the lungs and breathing tubes - is also known as pertussis. Symptoms can be similar to a cold, for example a runny nose and sore throat, but the condition often has a distinctive cough. READ MORE: Grieving mum's 'biggest regret' after daughter, 30, dies following misdiagnosis READ MORE: One in five people ignore this important smartphone notification After a round a week, sufferers may notice coughing bouts that last for a few minutes and are worse at night.
There may be a distinctive 'whoop' sound, which is often noticeable in infants, and sufferers may have difficulty breathing after a bout of coughing.