SYMPTOMS, CAUSES, PREVENTION, AND TREATMENT OF WHOOPING COUGH

What is Whooping Cough?
This is a serious illness, particularly in babies aged less than 6 months. One in every 200 babies infected will die. Whooping cough is a respiratory disease, very contagious, that is caused by a specific type of bacteria (Bordetella pertussis). The disease starts with symptoms very similar to that of a common cold. Later, a strong and characteristic cough develops and may remain during 2 to 4 weeks. Immunization with the Bordetella pertussis vaccine has drastically reduced its incidence and the number of deaths associated to this disease.

 Symptoms

    Initial symptoms are very similar to those observed in a common cold:

·         Nasal congestion, sneezing, runny nose.

·         Red and watery eyes, mild fever (below 102 F).

·         You may also have diarrhea early on.

·         After about 7-10 days, the cough turns into “coughing spells” that end with a whooping sound as the person tries to breathe in air.

·         Because the cough is dry and doesn't produce mucus, these spells can last up to 1 minute. Sometimes it can cause your face to briefly turn red or purple.

·         Most people with whooping cough have coughing spells, but not everyone does.

·         Infants may not make the whooping sound or even cough, but they might gasp for air or try to catch their breath during these spells. Some may vomit.

·         Sometimes adults with the condition just have a cough that won’t go away.

·         Children and Whooping Cough

·         Whooping cough is dangerous in babies, especially ones younger than 6 months old. In severe cases, they may need to go to an ER.

·         If you think your child might have it, see your doctor right away.

·         Children under the age of 18 months with whooping cough should be watched at all times, because the coughing spells can make them stop breathing. Young babies with bad cases may need hospital care, too.

·         Help protect your child by making sure he and any adult who's around him often gets vaccinated.

·         For older children and adults, the outlook is usually very good.

Afterwards the characteristic 'whooping' sound on inhalation appears, together with a dry cough. Vomiting caused by cough and signs of apnea are not infrequent. Be aware, especially in small infants, of any symptom of dehydration and of complications, such as bleeding, convulsions, pneumonia, etc.

Causes

This bacterium spreads by small airborne droplets produced when the ill person coughs or sneezes. It is particularly contagious during the first 2 weeks of cough. The incubation period can last between 6 and 20 days.

Prevention

The best way to prevent this serious disease is immunization with the pertussis vaccine. This vaccine forms part of the DTaP immunization that also protects against diphtheria and tetanus. A booster is recommended for kids of 11-18 years because the effect of this immunization does not last forever. To maintain this immunization active is especially important for those people working with children since they are the more susceptible to develop severe complications. It is also important that anyone with direct contact with a sick person receives antibiotics to avoid the spread of the disease. If all these measures fail and your child become ill contact your with doctor for a proper treatment. In addition, there are some guides that you may follow to reduce the cough, one of the worse symptoms of this disease. For instance, you can vaporize bedroom, maintain it free of irritants (tobacco, dust, aerosol sprays) and give him a lot of fluids. You should also be aware of any sign of dehydration, such as dry mouth, irritability, lethargy, etc.

Whooping cough (also known as pertussis) is a bacterial infection that gets into your nose and throat. It spreads very easily, but vaccines like DTaP and Tdap can help prevent it in children and adults.

Treatment

If doctors diagnose whooping cough early on, antibiotics can help cut down coughing and other symptoms. They can also help prevent the infection from spreading to others. Most people are diagnosed too late for antibiotics to work well, though.

Don't use over-the-counter cough medicines, cough suppressants, or expectorants (medicines that make you cough up mucus) to treat whooping cough. They don't work.

If your coughing spells are so bad that they keep you from drinking enough fluids, you risk dehydration.