WHOOPING COUGH IN MELBOURNE

Abstract

Figures recently released by the World Health Organization show that “whooping cough is still a world-wide problem of considerable magnitude” (WHO, 1971). This paper reviews some aspects of whooping cough which have been observed in patients admitted to Fairfield Hospital, Melbourne. In particular, an attempt has been made to assess the severity of the disease in immunized and non- immunized children admitted to hospital. In addition, statistics relating to the incidence and mortality of whooping cough in Victoria are presented. These are used to discuss the influence of immunization on the incidence of whooping cough and the rationale of antibiotic usage in this disease.