What is whooping cough and how to treat it

What is whooping cough

Whooping cough is a highly contagious bacterial infection of the respiratory tract. It is caused by the bacterium Bordetella pertussis. When an infected person coughs or sneezes, germs are released into the air. Anyone nearby inhales them and becomes infected.

Before the advent of vaccinations, whooping cough was considered an exclusively childhood disease. Now the disease primarily affects the Whooping cough of babies who have not completed the full course of vaccination, as well as adolescents and adults who have weakened immunity. Scientists told Pertussis: Microbiology, Disease, Treatment and Prevention that the vaccine lasts approximately 4-14 years. The more time has passed since the vaccination, the higher the chance of getting sick.

Mostly babies under one year old die from whooping cough. Therefore, it is very important that pregnant women, as well as people who are near the baby, are vaccinated against the infection.

How to recognize whooping cough

First, whooping cough has the same Whooping Cough: Causes, Symptoms and Treatment as the common cold:

cough;
sneezing;
runny nose;
temperature rise, up to a maximum of 38, 9 ° C;
sometimes diarrhea.

After about 7-10 days, the coughing spells get stronger and last longer. They can even provoke vomiting, extreme fatigue, and temporary redness or blue discoloration of the facial skin due to exertion.

Often, patients have swelling of the face and neck caused by vasoconstriction. Hemorrhages on the skin and mucous membranes, in the eyes are possible. Increased nervous excitability is also noted, neuroses, dizziness may appear. Sometimes children even faint after prolonged severe coughing. This period lasts up to 30 days.

Most, but not all, have seizures. Babies may not cough at all, but they will gasp for air. According to Lidia Ivanova, an attack may end in a temporary cessation of breathing and a convulsive seizure.

When to see a doctor

If the cough gets worse, go urgently to a therapist, and in the case of a child, to a pediatrician.

In the early stages, whooping cough is difficult to diagnose. Symptoms are similar to other illnesses - colds, flu, or bronchitis. Therefore, the doctor may refer the patient for a blood test and chest x-ray.

Call an ambulance at 103 if the patient begins to choke during an attack.

At the same time, a person may look scared, grab his throat with his hands. The skin will turn a little blue. But the surest sign is that he gasps for air.

How to treat whooping cough

Babies are usually treated with Whooping Cough (Pertussis) at the hospital, others can recover at home.

The main ways are reduced to two.

1. Take medication

To stop the spread of the infection, the doctor will prescribe antibiotics. They will kill bacteria, but they will not get rid of the symptoms of the disease. You can bring down the Whooping cough temperature with over-the-counter pain relievers - paracetamol or ibuprofen.

Cough medications, on the other hand, do not usually help with whooping cough.

2. Observe the regime

During illness, it is very important to maintain a healthy lifestyle.

The patient is shown rest, in the absence of high temperature - light walks. The nervous system is very shattered during this period, so remove all possible irritants. Light is needed soft, diffused. Loud music, conversation, or the TV speaker should be muted.

Lydia Ivanova pediatrician

Here are some Whooping cough tips on how to get well faster.

High temperatures can cause dehydration, try to prevent it. Drink plenty of fluids. Good choices are water, fruit juices and broth.
Eat small meals often. Do not gorge on stomach pain, because of a violent cough you can vomit.
Install a humidifier in the room. This will help calm your cough.
Try to keep the air in the sick room clean. Do not smoke indoors or spray with strong scent or perfume to avoid irritating your throat. Ventilate the room often.
Prevent transmission of infection. Wash your hands with soap, wear a medical mask, cover your mouth with a tissue.

How to prevent whooping cough

The best way is to get vaccinated.

Under the compulsory medical insurance policy, the procedure is free. A child is routinely vaccinated against pertussis with DPT (diphtheria-tetanus-pertussis adsorbed) vaccine for the first time when he is three months old. Then twice more with an interval of one and a half months. A year later, do the second vaccination.

Lydia Ivanova

To ensure that the protection does not weaken, in the future, adolescents need to get the 2019 Recommended Vaccinations for Children (7-18 Years Old) Parent-Friendly Format vaccination at 11-12 years old. For adults, repeat Table 1. Recommended Adult Immunization Schedule for ages 19 years or older, United States, 2019 vaccination every 10 years.