Whooping cough (also known as pertussis) is a highly-infectious bacterial infection, that inflames the lungs and airways.
It can be very dangerous for babies under a year old, who are especially susceptible to complications such as pneumonia, convulsions, brain damage, and even death.
However, while the NHS recommends pregnant women are vaccinated against whooping cough during pregnancy as it protects babies, many parents still choose not to do so.
And the effects, as this heartbreaking video has shown, can be devastating.
Uploaded by the Mayo Clinic via YouTube, the video shows a baby girl struggling to breathe and unable to control her coughing.
As she is cradled by her mother in a hospital’s Intensive Care Unit, the baby begins to sob, and the distinct ‘whooping’ sound can clearly be heard as she struggles to recover from her coughing fit.
At the end of the video, which has been viewed over 600,000 times, the tiny girl manages to fall asleep.
It’s a harsh reminder of the importance of vaccination.
One viewer commented angrily: “Parents who do not vaccinate deserve to have their children taken away from them.
“Child abuse should not be tolerated.”
Another added firmly: “Get your children vaccinated.”
According to the NHS, the initial symptoms of whooping cough include a runny nose, a dry and irritating cough, raised temperature, and vomiting after coughing.
They advise that women are vaccinated against whopping cough, ideally when they are 28-32 weeks pregnant, to help to protect their babies.
They explain on their website: “Getting vaccinated while you’re pregnant is highly effective at protecting your baby from developing whooping cough in the first few weeks of their life.
“The immunity you get from the vaccine will pass to your baby through the placenta and provide passive protection for them until they are old enough to be routinely vaccinated against whooping cough at two months old.”