This article is for informational purposes only and is not a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis or treatment. Contact a qualified medical professional before engaging in any physical activity, or making any changes to your diet, medication or lifestyle.

Several public health units in southern Ontario are battling a rise in whooping cough cases and are urging residents to get vaccinated against the respiratory illness.

Southwestern Public Health, which serves Oxford County, Elgin County and St. Thomas, Ont., recorded 82 cases of whooping cough from January 2022 to the end of February 2023 — 40 per cent of the provincial total from that period.

“It’s a significant increase … that is certainly striking,” Dr. Ninh Tran, medical officer of health for Southwestern Public Health, said in an interview.

Whooping cough causes severe coughing that can last for weeks and is easily transmissible. Infants are most at risk of serious complications such as pneumonia, convulsions, brain damage and even death.

According to Tran, lower immunization rates against whooping cough could be a factor in the rise in cases.

“In our region, we have relatively lower rates of immunization compared to others,” the medical officer said.

“We’ve had a few cases that were hospitalized. That’s why we just really need folks to get up-to-date on their immunization.”

Huron Perth Public Health, which serves Stratford, Wingham, Listowel and Clinton, said it has confirmed at least 21 cases of whooping cough so far this year. In 2022, there were only three cases.

Similarly, the Windsor-Essex County Health Unit said there had been “a recent dramatic rise” in whooping cough cases in its region. Since November 2022, it has counted 18 cases.

Wellington-Dufferin-Guelph Public Health recorded “higher than normal” cases over fall and winter and attributed its lower immunization rates to the COVID-19 pandemic.

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“Many individuals may be behind in their vaccinations because they were unable to get them due to COVID-19,” it said in a statement. “Now is the time to get fully vaccinated as we engage in more community activities.”

What is whooping cough?

According to Public Health Ontario (PHA), whooping cough is “an acute infection of the respiratory tract caused by the bacteria Bordetella pertussis.”

The condition is transmitted through respiratory droplets. An infected person spreads it by coughing and sneezing. The coughing can be so intense that a “whooping” sound happens when you try to catch your breath.

According to the Government of Canada, each year between 1,000 and 3,000 Canadians fall ill from pertussis. Worldwide, there are about 20 to 40 million cases of and 400,000 deaths from pertussis each year.

Without treatment, pertussis can last for weeks or months, and can cause brain damage or even death.

The condition is most dangerous for children under one year old, especially if they are unvaccinated. In some cases, whooping cough can lead to worse complications like pneumonia.

What are the signs and symptoms of whooping cough?

PHA explains that whooping cough symptoms start small and consistently get worse.

The condition will initially present as a mild respiratory illness featuring a mild fever, runny nose, red watery eyes and a cough, which progresses to “prolonged cough episodes.” During the episodes, choking or vomiting is sometimes present.

For older children and adults, pertussis symptoms may be less severe. They may appear as cold-like symptoms with a cough that lasts longer than a week.

If you or someone you know has a severe or prolonged cough, or any of the above symptoms, see a health care provider as soon as you can.

Why is there a rise of whooping cough?

While there could be a plethora of factors leading to the rise of whooping cough in Ontario, there’s one main factor contributing to the large number of cases in the area: a lack of vaccinations.

Moreover, as whooping cough is extremely contagious, it’s likely spread in schools or public settings where children and infants congregate.

Refer to Health Canada for more information on where and how to get your whooping cough vaccine.

Who is at risk of whooping cough?

While can get whooping cough, it is most dangerous for infants under the age of one.

As immunization programs begin at two months, infants under two months of age are vulnerable. Those who are most at risk for pertussis are children who are not vaccinated or under-vaccinated.

Additionally, pregnant women in the third trimester or individuals with chronic respiratory illnesses are also more at risk.

How can I help prevent whooping cough?

To prevent whooping cough, Health Canada recommends infants and children get the vaccine.

A child under six years old needs five doses of the pertussis vaccine, starting at two months of age. As protection lessens over time, so it’s important to get a booster dose.

You may need a booster for pertussis if you are between 14 and 16 years of age, you are an adult and you were not immunized against pertussis, or if you are between 27 and 32 weeks of pregnancy.

Additionally, if you interact with infants and children on a regular basis, it’s very important to be vaccinated.

Outside of the vaccine, other ways to help prevent whooping cough are to consistently wash your hands, refrain from sharing food, drinks or cutlery, and covering your nose and mouth when coughing or sneezing.

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(Bloomberg) — Healthy children and adolescents may no longer need Covid shots, the World Health Organization said, updating its guidance on vaccines as the world adjusts to living permanently with the virus. 

Older people and higher-risk groups — including those with underlying conditions — should get Covid boosters between six and 12 months after their last injections, the WHO said in a statement announcing a revised vaccine road map for the new stage of the pandemic. 

“Countries should consider their specific context in deciding whether to continue vaccinating low-risk groups, like healthy children and adolescents, while not compromising the routine vaccines that are so crucial for the health and well-being of this age group,” said Hanna Nohynek, chair of the WHO’s Strategic Advisory Group of Experts on Immunization.

The Geneva-based organization’s latest advice comes as booster rates fall in countries from China to the US, with just 16% of Americans lining up for the latest round of shots targeting the omicron variant, Bloomberg reported earlier this month. 

The dropoff won’t just have financial consequences for vaccine makers — including Pfizer Inc. and Moderna Inc. — but is also sparking concerns among public health experts who say updated vaccinations are the best way to protect against Covid. 

Read more: Covid Boosters Sour for Pfizer, Moderna With Uptake Rate at 16%

Healthy children between the ages of 6 months and 17 years are a low-priority group for vaccination, the WHO said, and primary and booster doses are safe and effective for them. They have typically experienced less severe reactions to Covid than adults. 

The WHO said context mattered in deciding whether to inoculate younger people given the lower burden of disease. 

The organization “urges countries considering vaccination of this age group to base their decisions on contextual factors, such as the disease burden, cost effectiveness, and other health or programmatic priorities and opportunity costs,” the statement said. 

–With assistance from Tanaz Meghjani.

©2023 Bloomberg L.P.

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The ketogenic diet, or “keto” diet, is a high-fat, low-carb diet that has gained popularity in recent years due to its potential health benefits. The diet aims to induce a metabolic state called ketosis, where the body burns fat for fuel instead of carbohydrates. This can result in weight loss and improved blood sugar control, among other benefits.

Crossfit training is a high-intensity, functional fitness program that combines elements of weightlifting, gymnastics, and cardio. It is designed to improve overall fitness and performance in a variety of physical activities.

When coupled, the ketogenic diet and CrossFit exercise have the potential to be an effective strategy for both weight reduction and an increase in overall physical capability. The ketogenic diet supplies the body with a consistent supply of energy, which may assist in the improvement of endurance while doing Crossfit activities. Moreover, it may assist in the healing of muscles and decrease inflammation.

Nevertheless, it is essential to keep in mind that the ketogenic diet may not be appropriate for everyone, particularly those who are dealing with certain health concerns. Before beginning any new eating plan or workout routine, it is essential to discuss the changes with a qualified medical practitioner.

Those who are wanting to enhance their physical fitness and general health may find that combining Crossfit exercise with the ketogenic diet is a combination that is advantageous to their goals. You may read the reasons why the keto diet and crossfit workout are becoming more popular throughout Georgia in the following paragraph.

Improved endurance during workouts

One of the primary reasons why the ketogenic diet and Crossfit training are becoming more popular in Georgia is that they both lead to improvements in exercise endurance. The ketogenic diet encourages fat burning inside the body, which, in comparison to the breakdown of carbs for fuel, results in a more consistent and sustained supply of energy. Because of this, people are able to keep up their energy levels even throughout lengthy and strenuous CrossFit sessions, which ultimately leads to increased endurance.

Training in CrossFit, on the other hand, is intended to increase not just general physical fitness but also performance in other aspects of the body, including endurance. Workouts at CrossFit are known for their high levels of intensity, which provide a challenge to the body and force people to test the boundaries of their capabilities. As a consequence, over time, individuals see improvements in their endurance.

Since the keto diet provides the body with a consistent supply of energy that it can utilize throughout exercises and Crossfit training pushes the body to develop its endurance capacities, the combination of the two may be especially helpful in increasing endurance. Because of this, a significant number of people in Georgia are turning to this potent combination in order to boost their physical fitness and overall performance.

Increased weight loss

Both the ketogenic diet and Crossfit exercise have become more popular in Georgia for a number of reasons, one of the most important of which is weight reduction. The ketogenic diet is designed to guide individuals into a metabolic state known as ketosis, in which the body uses fat for fuel rather than carbs. This may result in considerable weight reduction, particularly when paired with regular Crossfit activities, which help burn calories and build muscle at the same time.

Georgia residents who are interested in this powerful combination can find resources and support through local gyms and fitness centers that offer Crossfit training and nutrition coaching. In addition, Georgia real estate listings often include properties with home gyms, making it easier than ever for individuals to incorporate regular workouts into their daily routines. Overall, the keto diet and Crossfit training are growing trends across Georgia due to their proven effectiveness in improving physical fitness, performance, and weight loss. With the right resources and support, anyone in Georgia can benefit from this powerful combination and achieve their health and fitness goals.

Better blood sugar control

Another reason why the keto diet and Crossfit workouts are becoming more popular throughout the state of Georgia is that they help better regulate blood sugar levels. By limiting the consumption of carbs, which are known to produce rises in blood sugar levels, the ketogenic diet is thought to be beneficial for helping to control blood sugar levels. Those who have diabetes or other diseases connected to high blood sugar may benefit from this in a particularly significant way.

Crossfit training, on the other hand, can also help improve blood sugar control by increasing insulin sensitivity and glucose uptake by the muscles. This means that the body is better able to process and utilize glucose, resulting in more stable blood sugar levels.

Overall, the combination of the keto diet and Crossfit training can be a powerful tool for better blood sugar control, leading to improved overall health and well-being. Georgia residents who are interested in this approach can find support through local gyms and fitness centers that offer Crossfit training and nutrition coaching.

Improved muscle recovery

Improved muscle recovery is another reason why the keto diet and Crossfit training are growing trends across Georgia. The keto diet provides the body with a steady source of energy, which can aid in muscle recovery after Crossfit workouts. Additionally, the diet is high in protein, which is essential for repairing and building muscle tissue.

Crossfit training itself can also help improve muscle recovery by increasing blood flow and nutrient delivery to the muscles. This can help reduce muscle soreness and improve recovery time between workouts.

The combination of the keto diet and Crossfit training can be particularly effective in improving muscle recovery, as the diet provides the necessary nutrients and energy for muscle repair and growth, while Crossfit training challenges the muscles and promotes blood flow.

Overall, the keto diet and Crossfit training are growing trends across Georgia due to their ability to improve physical fitness, performance, and muscle recovery.

Reduced inflammation

Reduced inflammation is another reason why the keto diet and Crossfit training are growing trends across Georgia. Inflammation is the body’s natural response to injury or infection, but chronic inflammation can contribute to a variety of health problems.

By limiting the consumption of items that are known to cause inflammation, such as sugar and processed carbohydrates, the ketogenic diet has been shown to have anti-inflammatory effects. This may assist in reducing inflammation throughout the body, which may ultimately contribute to improvements in general health.

Crossfit training may also help decrease inflammation since it increases blood flow and nutrition supply to the muscles, both of which can assist in healing and reduce inflammation. Crossfit training is also known as functional fitness.

The combination of the keto diet and Crossfit training can be particularly effective in reducing inflammation, as the diet provides the necessary nutrients and energy for muscle repair and growth, while Crossfit training challenges the muscles and promotes blood flow.

Improved physical performance

Improved physical performance is one of the primary reasons why the keto diet and Crossfit training are growing trends across Georgia. The keto diet provides the body with a steady source of energy, which can improve physical performance during Crossfit workouts. The diet’s high-fat content can also aid in muscle recovery and reduce inflammation, leading to improved overall physical performance.

Crossfit training is designed to improve overall physical fitness and performance, including strength, endurance, and agility. The high-intensity nature of Crossfit workouts challenges the body and pushes individuals to their limits, resulting in improved physical performance over time.

The combination of the keto diet and Crossfit training can be particularly effective in improving physical performance, as the diet provides the necessary nutrients and energy for muscle repair and growth, while Crossfit training challenges the muscles and promotes overall physical fitness.

Increased energy levels

Increased energy levels are another reason why the keto diet and Crossfit training are growing trends across Georgia. The keto diet helps the body enter a state of ketosis, where it burns fat instead of carbohydrates for fuel. This leads to a more sustained and stable energy level throughout the day, reducing fatigue and increasing overall energy levels.

Moreover, improved energy levels are promoted by Crossfit exercise since it forces the body to make better use of the energy resources it already has. The high degree of intensity that characterizes Crossfit exercises may produce an endorphin surge, which not only increases energy levels but also improves mood.

Since the keto diet supplies the body with a consistent stream of energy that it may utilize throughout workouts and Crossfit exercise pushes the body to improve its general energy efficiency, the combination of the two can be especially helpful in improving levels of energy.

As a whole, the keto diet and Crossfit exercise are becoming more popular across the state of Georgia due to their capacity to raise levels of energy and enhance overall physical fitness and performance.

Improved mental clarity

Improved mental clarity is another reason why the keto diet and Crossfit training are growing trends across Georgia. The keto diet provides a steady source of energy for the brain, which can improve mental clarity and focus. This is because the brain requires a stable supply of energy to function optimally.

In addition to this, regular Crossfit workouts have been shown to boost mental acuity by increasing blood flow and nutrition supply to the brain. It has been shown that engaging in physical activity may enhance cognitive function and lower the risk of cognitive decline.

Because the keto diet supplies the necessary nutrients and energy for brain function while Crossfit training challenges the body and increases blood flow to the brain, the combination of the two can be particularly effective in improving mental clarity. This is due to the fact that the diet provides the necessary nutrients and energy for brain function.

Reduced appetite

Reduced appetite is another reason why the keto diet and Crossfit training are growing trends across Georgia. The keto diet is known to reduce appetite by increasing feelings of fullness and reducing cravings, which can lead to reduced calorie intake and weight loss. This is because the high fat content of the diet promotes satiety and reduces the need for frequent snacking.

Increasing your metabolic rate and the number of calories you burn via CrossFit may also help you feel less hungry. This indicates that those who participate in regular Crossfit exercises may see a natural reduction in their levels of hunger throughout the day.

Because the keto diet supplies the body with a consistent source of energy and Crossfit training challenges the body and speeds up the metabolic rate, the combination of the two can be particularly effective in suppressing appetite and fostering weight loss. This is due to the fact that the diet helps the body maintain a constant source of energy while also promoting weight loss.

Improved insulin sensitivity

Improved insulin sensitivity is another reason why the keto diet and Crossfit training are growing trends across Georgia. The keto diet can help improve insulin sensitivity by reducing the intake of carbohydrates, which are known to cause spikes in blood sugar and decrease insulin sensitivity over time. This means that the body is better able to respond to insulin and process glucose more efficiently.

Crossfit training can also improve insulin sensitivity by promoting muscle growth and glucose uptake by the muscles. This means that the body is better able to utilize glucose for energy, leading to improved insulin sensitivity.

The combination of the keto diet and Crossfit training can be particularly effective in improving insulin sensitivity, as the diet provides a stable source of energy for the body and reduces the intake of inflammatory foods, while Crossfit training challenges the muscles and promotes glucose uptake.

Both the ketogenic diet and Crossfit exercise are becoming more popular throughout the state of Georgia as a result of their capacity to enhance insulin sensitivity, mental clarity, physical fitness, and weight reduction while simultaneously reducing inflammation and hunger. Local gyms and fitness facilities in Georgia that also provide nutrition coaching are great places for locals to go for help.