Whooping Cough (Pertussis): Symptoms, Causes, How to Treat & Why is it Dangerous for Babies?

Knowing Whooping Cough
Whooping cough, also known as pertussis, is a respiratory infectious disease caused by the bacterium Bordetella pertussis. It is a highly contagious disease and commonly affects children, although adults can also be infected.

The main symptoms of whooping cough include three stages:

1. Catarrhal stage: This stage is similar to a common cold, with symptoms such as nasal congestion, sneezing, mild cough, and low fever. This stage lasts for one to two weeks.
2. Paroxysmal stage: This stage is characterized by severe and repeated coughing attacks. The cough may last for several minutes, and is often accompanied by a "gasp" or a loud wheezing sound when the person tries to breathe after a coughing attack. Coughing at this stage can be very strong and heavy, causing fatigue and possibly vomiting. This stage can last for several weeks to months.
3. Convalescent stage: This is the recovery stage. The cough symptoms slowly start to improve, although a mild cough may still occur for a few weeks.

 

Whooping cough can be especially dangerous for unvaccinated infants or babies under one year of age. Possible complications include middle ear infection, pneumonia, seizures, brain damage and even death.

Whooping Cough Prevention

The best prevention for whooping cough is through routine immunization using the DPT (diphtheria, pertussis, tetanus) vaccine. The DPT vaccine is given in a series of doses when babies and children are young. Vaccination can also help protect pregnant women and other family members from contracting the disease.

If you or someone you know is experiencing symptoms of a severe and prolonged cough, it is important to seek immediate medical treatment. Doctors can diagnose whooping cough through physical examination, laboratory tests, and analysis of mucus samples from the nose or throat. Treatment usually involves administering antibiotics to help reduce the severity and duration of the illness.

 

It is also important to avoid contact with people infected with whooping cough, especially for those at high risk such as infants and young children who have not been fully vaccinated. In addition, maintaining personal hygiene by washing your hands regularly and covering your mouth when coughing or sneezing can help prevent the spread of this disease.