What is pertussis and how does it spread. How can you recognize the symptoms of whooping cough. What are the most effective treatments for pertussis. How can you protect yourself and your loved ones from whooping cough. What are the vaccination recommendations for different age groups. How long does whooping cough remain contagious. What complications can arise from pertussis infection.

Understanding Pertussis: The Basics of Whooping Cough

Pertussis, commonly known as whooping cough, is a highly contagious respiratory infection caused by the bacterium Bordetella pertussis. This serious lung condition can affect people of all ages, but it poses the greatest risk to infants and young children with underdeveloped airways. The disease gets its name from the characteristic “whoop” sound made when infected individuals try to catch their breath after a severe coughing fit.

The infection spreads through respiratory droplets when an infected person coughs or sneezes. Whooping cough can be life-threatening, especially for babies, making prevention and early treatment crucial.

How contagious is whooping cough?

Whooping cough is highly contagious. An infected person can spread the bacteria from the onset of cold-like symptoms until about three weeks after the cough begins. However, with appropriate antibiotic treatment, the contagious period can be reduced to just five days after starting the medication.

Recognizing the Stages and Symptoms of Pertussis

Whooping cough typically progresses through three distinct stages, each with its own set of symptoms. Understanding these stages can help in early detection and prompt treatment.

Stage 1: The Catarrhal Stage

• Duration: 1-2 weeks
• Symptoms: Runny nose, sneezing, low-grade fever, mild occasional cough
• Resembles a common cold, but the cough gradually worsens

Stage 2: The Paroxysmal Stage

• Duration: 1-2 months
• Symptoms: Severe coughing fits followed by a high-pitched whoop
• Possible blue discoloration (cyanosis), vomiting, and brief periods of apnea (stopped breathing)

Stage 3: The Convalescent Stage

• Duration: Weeks to months
• Gradual recovery with improving symptoms
• Possibility of coughing fits returning with subsequent respiratory illnesses

It’s important to note that symptoms can appear anywhere from 4 to 21 days after infection, with an average incubation period of 7 to 10 days. In rare cases, it may take up to 6 weeks for symptoms to develop.

Complications Associated with Whooping Cough

While whooping cough can be serious for anyone, it’s particularly dangerous for infants and young children. Understanding the potential complications can underscore the importance of prevention and prompt treatment.

What are the most common complications of pertussis?

1. Pneumonia
2. Middle ear infection (otitis media)
3. Loss of appetite
4. Sleep disturbance
5. Fainting (syncope)
6. Dehydration
7. Seizures
8. Altered brain function (encephalopathy)
9. Apnea (brief periods when breathing stops)
10. Death (in severe cases, particularly in infants)

These complications highlight the critical need for vaccination and early intervention in cases of suspected whooping cough, especially in vulnerable populations like young children and the elderly.

Effective Treatment Strategies for Whooping Cough

Prompt and appropriate treatment is crucial in managing whooping cough and preventing its spread. The primary treatment approach involves antibiotics, which can both treat the infection and reduce its contagious period.

What antibiotics are used to treat pertussis?

• Azithromycin
• Erythromycin
• Clarithromycin
• Trimethoprim-sulfamethoxazole (as an alternative)

These antibiotics are most effective when administered early in the course of the illness. They can help reduce the severity and duration of symptoms, as well as limit the spread of the infection to others.

How should you respond to whooping cough exposure?

If you or a family member has been exposed to someone with whooping cough, it’s essential to take immediate action:

1. Contact your local health department, doctor, or clinic for guidance.
2. If you’ve had close contact with an infected person, you may be prescribed preventive antibiotics.
3. Monitor for symptoms and seek medical attention if they develop.

Early intervention can prevent the development of full-blown whooping cough and reduce the risk of complications.

Vaccination: The Cornerstone of Whooping Cough Prevention

Vaccination remains the most effective strategy for preventing whooping cough. The pertussis vaccine is typically administered in combination with vaccines for diphtheria and tetanus.

What are the recommended pertussis vaccines?

• DTaP: For infants and children under 7 years old
• Tdap: For adolescents and adults

What is the recommended vaccination schedule?

1. Infants and young children: DTaP at 2, 4, and 6 months, with boosters at 15-18 months and 4-6 years
2. 7-10 year-olds not fully immunized: Catch-up with Tdap
3. Preteens: Tdap booster at 11-12 years
4. Adults: One dose of Tdap, then Td booster every 10 years
5. Pregnant women: Tdap in the third trimester of each pregnancy

It’s crucial for adults who have contact with infants to ensure they’re up-to-date with their pertussis vaccinations, as they can be a source of infection for vulnerable babies.

School Attendance and Whooping Cough Vaccination Requirements

Many educational institutions have specific requirements for pertussis vaccination to ensure the safety of students and staff. These requirements may vary by age group and grade level.

What are typical vaccination requirements for school attendance?

• Prekindergarten (Day Care, Head Start, Nursery): 4 age-appropriate doses
• Kindergarten through 5th grade: 5 doses, or 4 doses if the 4th was given at 4 years or older
• Grades 6 through 12: 3 doses
• Grades 6 to 12: One dose of Tdap

These requirements help maintain high vaccination rates in school populations, reducing the risk of outbreaks and protecting those who cannot be vaccinated due to medical reasons.

Special Considerations for Whooping Cough Prevention

While vaccination is the primary prevention strategy, there are additional considerations for specific groups to enhance protection against whooping cough.

How can healthcare workers protect themselves and patients?

Healthcare staff with direct patient contact should receive a single dose of Tdap if they haven’t already. This helps protect both the healthcare workers and their potentially vulnerable patients.

What precautions should travelers take?

Whooping cough occurs worldwide, so travelers should ensure they’re up-to-date with pertussis-containing vaccines before their trip. This is particularly important for those visiting areas with limited access to medical care.

How can families protect newborns?

The strategy of “cocooning” involves vaccinating all close contacts of a newborn, including parents, siblings, grandparents, and caregivers. This creates a protective bubble around the infant until they can receive their own vaccinations.

By implementing these targeted prevention strategies alongside comprehensive vaccination programs, we can significantly reduce the incidence of whooping cough and its potentially severe complications.

Managing Whooping Cough in Different Age Groups

The approach to managing whooping cough can vary depending on the age of the infected individual. Understanding these differences is crucial for effective treatment and prevention of complications.

How is whooping cough managed in infants?

Infants under 6 months are at the highest risk for severe complications from whooping cough. Management often involves:

• Hospitalization for close monitoring
• Oxygen therapy if needed
• Intravenous fluids to prevent dehydration
• Careful suctioning of thick respiratory secretions
• Antibiotics to treat the infection and reduce contagiousness

Parents and caregivers of infants should be especially vigilant about keeping up with the vaccination schedule and avoiding exposure to individuals with respiratory symptoms.

What are the considerations for treating whooping cough in older children and adults?

While older children and adults generally experience less severe symptoms, they can still spread the infection to vulnerable individuals. Treatment typically includes:

• Antibiotic therapy to reduce the duration of symptoms and contagiousness
• Symptomatic relief measures such as staying hydrated and using humidifiers
• Avoiding irritants that can trigger coughing fits
• Isolation to prevent spreading the infection to others

It’s important to complete the full course of antibiotics even if symptoms improve, to ensure the bacteria are completely eradicated.

How can the elderly population be protected from whooping cough?

The elderly are another vulnerable group when it comes to whooping cough. Protection strategies include:

• Ensuring up-to-date Tdap vaccination
• Encouraging vaccination of caregivers and family members
• Prompt medical attention if respiratory symptoms develop
• Maintaining overall health to support the immune system

By tailoring management strategies to different age groups, we can more effectively control the spread of whooping cough and minimize its impact across the population.

The Role of Public Health in Controlling Whooping Cough

Public health initiatives play a crucial role in controlling the spread of whooping cough and protecting community health. These efforts involve a multifaceted approach to prevention, surveillance, and response.

How do public health agencies monitor whooping cough outbreaks?

Public health surveillance for whooping cough typically includes:

• Mandatory reporting of confirmed cases by healthcare providers
• Laboratory testing to confirm diagnoses
• Contact tracing to identify potential exposures
• Analysis of data to detect outbreaks and trends

This surveillance allows for rapid response to outbreaks and helps inform vaccination strategies.

What public health measures are implemented during a whooping cough outbreak?

When an outbreak is identified, public health agencies may implement several measures:

1. Issuing public health alerts to healthcare providers and the community
2. Coordinating vaccination clinics to boost community immunity
3. Providing education on prevention and early symptom recognition
4. Implementing isolation and quarantine measures as needed
5. Collaborating with schools and workplaces to prevent spread in these settings

These measures aim to quickly contain outbreaks and protect vulnerable populations.

How do public health campaigns contribute to whooping cough prevention?

Public health campaigns are essential for raising awareness and promoting vaccination. These campaigns often focus on:

• Educating the public about the importance of vaccination
• Addressing vaccine hesitancy and misinformation
• Promoting age-appropriate vaccination schedules
• Encouraging pregnant women to get vaccinated to protect newborns
• Reminding adults about the need for booster shots

By combining surveillance, outbreak response, and public education, public health agencies play a vital role in reducing the burden of whooping cough in communities.

Emerging Research and Future Directions in Whooping Cough Management

As our understanding of whooping cough evolves, researchers continue to explore new avenues for prevention, diagnosis, and treatment. These advancements hold promise for improving our ability to control this persistent disease.

What new vaccine technologies are being developed for whooping cough?

Researchers are working on several fronts to improve pertussis vaccines:

• Development of more effective acellular vaccines that provide longer-lasting immunity
• Exploration of novel adjuvants to enhance vaccine efficacy
• Investigation of nasal spray vaccines for mucosal immunity
• Research into vaccines that better mimic natural infection for stronger protection

These advancements could lead to vaccines that offer more durable protection and reduce the need for frequent boosters.

How are diagnostic techniques for whooping cough improving?

Improved diagnostics can lead to earlier detection and treatment. Emerging diagnostic approaches include:

• Development of rapid PCR tests for point-of-care diagnosis
• Exploration of biomarkers for early-stage infection detection
• Refinement of serological tests for more accurate diagnosis
• Investigation of breath analysis techniques for non-invasive testing

These advancements could significantly reduce the time from symptom onset to diagnosis and treatment initiation.

What potential new treatments are being explored for whooping cough?

While antibiotics remain the mainstay of treatment, researchers are investigating additional therapeutic approaches:

• Development of targeted antibodies to neutralize pertussis toxin
• Exploration of anti-inflammatory therapies to reduce lung damage
• Investigation of probiotics to support respiratory health during infection
• Research into novel antibiotics with improved efficacy against B. pertussis

These potential treatments could help reduce the severity of symptoms and prevent complications, especially in high-risk groups.

As research progresses, our ability to prevent, diagnose, and treat whooping cough continues to improve. However, maintaining high vaccination rates and public awareness remains crucial in the ongoing fight against this challenging disease.

Pertussis or Whooping Cough Fact Sheet

• Pertussis or Whooping Cough Fact Sheet is also available in Portable Document Format (PDF)

What is pertussis?

Pertussis is also called whooping cough. It is a serious lung infection caused by bacteria. It is also very contagious and causes coughing fits. Whooping cough is most serious for babies with very small airways. It can lead to death.

What are the symptoms?

Symptoms usually appear about 7 to 10 days after exposure. But symptoms can appear from 4 to 21 days after a person is infected. It is rare but it can take up to 6 weeks to develop symptoms. Some people have milder symptoms, especially if they have been vaccinated.

Symptoms appear in 3 stages:

• Stage one lasts 1-2 weeks: runny nose, sneezing, low-grade fever, mild occasional cough. It may look like the common cold but the cough begins to get worse.
• Stage two can last 1-2 months: Cough becomes more severe. There are coughing fits that can be followed by a high- pitched whoop. The whoop means the person is trying to catch their breath. Sometimes a person will turn blue and vomit mucus or food. They also may have brief periods when they stop breathing.
• Stage three may last weeks to months: Recovery phase is when a person slowly gets better. Coughing fits can come back if the person gets another respiratory illness.

What are the complications of whooping cough?

Complications of whooping cough are more common in infants and young children. They may include pneumonia, middle ear infection, loss of appetite, sleep disturbance, fainting, dehydration, seizures, altered brain function (encephalopathy), brief periods when breathing stops and death.

How long is a person with whooping cough contagious?

A person with whooping cough can pass it to others as soon as they get cold-like symptoms. They can also pass it up to 3 weeks after they start coughing. If the infected person takes an appropriate antibiotic, they will not spread the germ after 5 full days of treatment.

What is the treatment?

Antibiotics can prevent and treat whooping cough. Recommended antibiotics include azithromycin, erythromycin and clarithromycin. Trimethoprim sulfamethoxazole can also be used.

If my child or another family member has been exposed to whooping cough, what should I do?

Call your local health department, doctor or clinic for advice. If you have close contact with an infected person, you will be given the same medicines used to treat whooping cough. This will help prevent you and others from getting sick.

What is the best way to prevent whooping cough?

The best way to prevent whooping cough is to get vaccinated.

We recommend that all children and adults get a pertussis-containing vaccine.

• The recommended pertussis vaccine for infants and children is called DTaP. This protects children against 3 diseases: diphtheria, tetanus, and whooping cough (pertussis).
• DTaP shots are given at 2, 4, and 6 months of age. To maintain protection, boosters are also given at 15 through 18 months and 4 through 6 years of age.
• 7- to 10-year-olds who are not fully immunized with DTaP, should get a Tdap vaccine which protects against diphtheria, tetanus and whooping cough (pertussis).
• Preteens going to the doctor for their regular checkup at 11 or 12 years of age should get a booster dose of Tdap. If a preteen did not get this Tdap at 11 to 12 years, they should be vaccinated at their next doctor visit.
• All adults 19 and older who have not received a Tdap vaccine, need a booster shot.
• Adults should receive a tetanus and diphtheria (Td) booster every 10 years. They should also substitute a Tdap vaccine for one of the boosters. The Tdap can be given earlier than the 10-year spacing.
• It is very important for adults to make sure they are up-to-date with their pertussis-containing vaccines if they spend any time with infants. This includes parents, grandparents, siblings, babysitters, relatives and friends.
• Pregnant women should receive Tdap in the third trimester of every pregnancy to pass immunity to their newborn until the baby is old enough to begin shots at 2 months of age.
• Travelers should be up-to-date with pertussis-containing vaccines before they travel. Whooping cough occurs everywhere in the world.
• Health care staff who have direct contact with patients should get a single dose of Tdap if they have not already received it.

What are the whooping cough vaccine requirements for school attendance?

• Prekindergarten (Day Care, Head Start, or Nursery): 4 doses (age-appropriate)
• Kindergarten through 5th grade: 5 doses, or 4 doses with the 4th dose at 4 years of age or older. Or, 3 doses if they start the series at 7 years of age or older
• Grades 6 through 12th grade: 3 doses
• Grades 6 to 12: one dose of Tdap (required for students enrolling in grades 6 to 12 who have not previously received Tdap at 7 years of age or older)

What should I do if I’m not sure I received whooping cough vaccine?

Check with your doctor. An adolescent or adult without documentation of having received a primary series of at least three doses of tetanus and diphtheria (Td) vaccines in their lifetime should receive this series. The first dose should be Tdap. The remaining two doses should be adult formulation Td.

What should I or my family do to prevent whooping cough if we travel out of the country?

Whooping cough is still common in the United States and in many other countries. Make sure that you and your children are fully vaccinated before traveling.

• Adults 19 or older should receive a single dose of Tdap vaccine. Confirm with your doctor that you have received the vaccine for pertussis.
• Infants, children and adolescents should be up-to-date with pertussis-containing vaccines as described above.

Additional Information

• Travel and whooping cough (CDC.gov)
• Learn more about whooping cough (CDC.gov)
• How can I find out about whooping cough outbreaks? (CDC. gov)
• More information about vaccine-preventable diseases

Pertussis: What Parents Need to Know

Facts on pertussis for parents of children in child care, school and other activities.

Download PDF version formatted for print: Pertussis: What Parents Need to Know (PDF)

• Pertussis: What Parents Need to Know in Hmong (PDF)
• Pertussis: What Parents Need to Know in Russian (PDF)
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• Pertussis: What Parents Need to Know in Spanish (PDF)

On this page:
What is pertussis?
What are the symptoms of pertussis?
How is pertussis spread?
When and for how long can a person spread pertussis?
How can pertussis be prevented?
Is there a lab test for pertussis?
How long should someone with pertussis stay home from school or work?
More tips

What is pertussis?

Pertussis, or whooping cough, is a persistent cough illness. Anyone of any age can get pertussis.

What are the symptoms of pertussis?

The first symptoms of pertussis are similar to a cold. After a week or two, the cough worsens and may occur in sudden, uncontrollable bursts. Sometimes coughing will lead to vomiting or a high-pitched whoop sound when breathing in. Persons with pertussis may seem well between coughing spells. These spells become less frequent over time, but may continue for several weeks or months until the lungs heal.

How is pertussis spread?

Pertussis bacteria are spread through droplets produced during coughing or sneezing. These droplets don’t travel very far through the air and usually only infect persons nearby.

When and for how long can a person spread pertussis?

Persons with pertussis can spread it to others for the first 3 weeks of coughing or until they complete 5 days of antibiotic treatment, whichever occurs first.

How can pertussis be prevented?

Vaccination is the best way to prevent pertussis. Vaccination against pertussis is part of the regularly recommended childhood vaccines. A pertussis vaccine booster is also recommended for adolescents and adults. Ask your health care provider for more information.

Persons who have been vaccinated for pertussis may still get pertussis disease, but will generally have a milder illness.

Antibiotics are sometimes recommended to prevent pertussis in close contacts of someone with pertussis, such as household members.

Is there a lab test for pertussis?

Yes, but only if someone has symptoms. Most commonly, the nasal passage is swabbed and the swab is examined for the presence of pertussis bacteria. Sometimes a test using blood will be done to look for an immune response.

How long should someone with pertussis stay home from child care, school, work, etc.?

Persons with pertussis should stay home from child care, school, work, and other activities until they have finished 5 days of antibiotics, unless they have already been coughing for 3 or more weeks.

More tips

• Wash your hands often.
• Stay at home if you are ill.
• When coughing, cover your mouth with a tissue or cough into your sleeve.

Whooping cough: symptoms of the disease. Treatment and prevention of whooping cough: modern vaccines

Author

Petrova Marina Nikolaevna

Leading physician

Pediatrician

Creation date: 2016.02.05

9000 2
Whooping cough is a disease caused by a specific bacterial infection, most dangerous in childhood, especially before 2 years of age. A typical manifestation of whooping cough in children is severe spasmodic coughing fits.

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Causes of whooping cough

Whooping cough

Whooping cough is transmitted by airborne droplets. The incubation period is from 3 to 14 days (usually 5-7 days). The causative agent of whooping cough quickly dies in the external environment. Therefore, for example, for the room where the patient was, no special treatment is required – it is enough to ventilate it properly, and just wash the dishes and toys with soap and water.

However, whooping cough is a highly contagious disease. When in contact with a sick person (a distance of 2 meters is considered critical), the probability of becoming infected is very high (more than 70%). The smallest particles of mucus that carry the infection fly out when coughing, talking, crying (crying) of the child and enter the respiratory system with air.

The prevalence of whooping cough is also facilitated by the fact that the disease often occurs in a blurred form. Similarly, whooping cough occurs in adults or against the background of vaccination. An infection that causes a habitual and fearless cough in an adult, being transmitted to a child who does not have immunity to whooping cough, can cause him a typical form of the disease. Even a newborn can get sick, since antibodies to the whooping cough pathogen are not transmitted from mother to child.

The patient is contagious from the 1st to the 25th day of illness. However, with timely treatment, the duration of the infectious period can be reduced.

Whooping cough symptoms

The onset of the disease resembles the usual acute respiratory disease: the temperature rises slightly, nasal discharge appears, and a rare dry cough. In the future, the cough intensifies, acquiring a spasmodic character.

Runny nose

Whooping cough usually begins with the appearance of mucous discharge from the nose. They may appear even before the temperature rises. The child starts sneezing and coughing.

More about the symptom

Temperature

At the beginning of the disease, as a rule, there is a slight increase in temperature – up to 37-37.5 °C.

More about the symptom

Cough

In the first stage of the disease, the cough is dry and rare. Traditional for ARVI methods of treating cough with whooping cough do not help, the cough gradually intensifies. After 10-14 days from the onset of the disease, spasmodic coughing attacks typical of whooping cough are observed.

Such an attack looks like a series of coughing shocks, followed by a deep whistling breath. Then – new coughing shocks. This cycle can be repeated several times (from 2 to 15 – depending on the severity of the disease). The cough is not easy; the child’s face may turn blue, the neck veins swell. He sticks out his tongue; this may injure the frenulum of the tongue. Infants may stop breathing. The attack ends with the release of a small amount of vitreous sputum or vomiting. The number of such attacks can reach up to 50 per day.

The period of spasmodic cough lasts 3-4 weeks. After that, the cough (already normal, not spasmodic) persists for another 2-3 weeks.

More about the symptom

Methods for diagnosing whooping cough

To accurately diagnose the disease, make an appointment with the specialists of the Family Doctor network.

Whooping cough treatment

Whooping cough treatment

The causative agent of whooping cough is sensitive to antibiotics only at the beginning of the disease (before the period of spasmodic cough). If the disease has already passed into this phase, treatment is aimed mainly at reducing the frequency and severity of attacks. To do this, if possible, eliminate the influence of irritating agents that cause coughing. The child needs to be outdoors more often, to be in a ventilated room. It is also important to remove the allergic reaction caused by toxins produced by pathogenic bacteria.

The younger the sick child, the more severe the disease. Even death is possible. Therefore, it is very important to protect your child by vaccinating against whooping cough. Even if the vaccinated child subsequently becomes ill (there is such a possibility), the disease will proceed in a smoothed form, without painful spasmodic attacks.

Medical treatment

Antibiotics kill the whooping cough pathogen. However, as a rule, this occurs relatively late, since whooping cough is often not recognized at the beginning of the disease. By the time antibiotics are used, the pathogen usually already affects the cough receptors in the brain. Therefore, the cough continues even after the destruction of the pertussis bacillus.

Expectorants, antihistamines, sedatives, and other drugs may also be used in the treatment of whooping cough. Their action is aimed at preventing possible complications, but they cannot speed up getting rid of cough.

Vaccination

Vaccination against whooping cough is included in the National and Regional vaccination schedules, immunization of children begins at 3 months of age and consists of several consecutive vaccinations. By contacting JSC “Family Doctor” about immunization against whooping cough, you guarantee that the vaccine will be of the proper quality, and that the actions of the medical staff will be professional and qualified.

If your child is vaccinated against whooping cough, you should consult a pediatrician.

More about the treatment method

Do not self-medicate. Contact our specialists who will correctly diagnose and prescribe treatment.

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Whooping cough, incubation period, consequences after illness. How is whooping cough transmitted?

Perhaps every adult in our country knows how dangerous whooping cough is. It is believed that this is primarily a childhood disease. But adults are also often infected. Whooping cough is a dangerous infectious disease of the respiratory tract, characterized by bouts of spasmodic coughing. Immunocompromised people and those who are in close contact with sick people are at risk of infection.

The information in this section should not be used for self-diagnosis or self-treatment. In case of pain or other exacerbation of the disease, only the attending physician should prescribe diagnostic tests. For diagnosis and proper treatment, you should contact a specialist.

Incubation period

The time from infection to the appearance of the first symptoms of the disease has its own characteristics. The duration of the incubation period for whooping cough ranges from 3 to 14 days. The main clinical symptom of the disease is cough. In the initial period, he does not have characteristic specific features. The picture of the disease is a bit like SARS. Although the general condition of the patient remains unchanged, the temperature with whooping cough is normal, there is no pain and loss of strength.

With the progression of the disease, the cough gradually increases, acquiring a persistent, paroxysmal, so-called typical character. Usually coughing fits are a series of successive expiratory shocks. Then they are replaced by a convulsive whistling breath and again several expiratory thrusts. During an attack, a person can cough from 2-3 to 20 times. The attack usually subsides after the release of viscous viscous sputum. In addition, there are other signs:

• Redness of the face;
• Neck vein swelling;
• Lachrymation.

Many patients have an increase in blood pressure, tachycardia, sleep disturbance, general anxiety, vasospasm, hemorrhage.

How is whooping cough transmitted?

It is quite easy to catch whooping cough. From the moment the first signs appear, the patient is dangerous to others for a month. Infection occurs by airborne droplets when:

• Cough;
• Sneezes;
• Very close communication.

The distance from the source of infection can be even a couple of meters. The most vulnerable to penetration are the upper respiratory tract. It should be noted that there is no contact method of transmission. Whooping cough is very unstable in the external environment and quickly dies. That is, toys, clothes, dishes do not require special treatment.

Susceptibility to whooping cough in people who do not have immunity is very high. Infection during the neonatal period is especially dangerous. The older the person, the easier the disease. There have been cases of recurrence in the elderly. But the course of whooping cough at this age was so mild that it almost did not differ from a small cold.

Causes of the illness

A number of causes affect the possibility of becoming infected with whooping cough. The main ones include:

• Contacts with infection carriers;
• General weakening of the immune system;
• Predisposition to diseases of the upper respiratory tract.

The age of the patient is also considered by doctors among the factors of infection. The younger the patient, the easier it is for him to catch whooping cough, the disease is more difficult to endure. Of the hundreds of children who get whooping cough in the first year of life, 1-2% die. Unfortunately, there is no innate immunity for this infection. The only effective way to prevent the disease is vaccination, although it has a short-term effect. Scientists disagree on whether natural immunity is persistent and whether re-infection is possible. It used to be thought that recurrence was extremely rare. Recent studies have shown that immunity after illness remains from 7 to 20 years.

Which doctor will help?

Whooping cough is a disease that is difficult to treat. Much depends on the time of diagnosis, since the main therapy is effective only in the initial stage of the disease. At the slightest suspicion of infection, you should contact such doctors as:

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m. . Physician first:

1. Examines;
2. Examine the external signs of the disease;
3. Will give a referral for tests.

Usually, clinicians talk about the need for swabs and cultures from the nose and throat, as well as a blood test for whooping cough antibodies. If infection with whooping cough is confirmed, then only an infectious disease specialist prescribes special treatment. Achievements of modern medicine allow the vast majority of patients to be treated on an outpatient basis. Indications for hospitalization in the hospital in the first place will be:

• Neonatal period;
• Complications;
• The severity of the form of leakage.

The main treatment for whooping cough, like other infectious diseases, is antibiotic therapy. It should be noted that this type of therapy is effective in the catarrhal period of the disease. Also, antibiotics significantly reduce the degree of contagiousness of the patient. For successful treatment, the patient needs a sparing regimen, an age-appropriate diet, vitamins and mineral complexes. During the period of convalescence, physiotherapeutic procedures, breathing exercises, and massage are indicated.

What is the temperature during illness?

It is believed that body temperature is one of the brightest indicators of human health. Unlike some other acute infections, the temperature in whooping cough can range from normal to subfebrile, in rare cases reaching up to 38.5 ºС.

This is the main difficulty in diagnosing the disease. Since the clinical picture resembles a common cold, patients are reluctant to turn to specialists. Many people prefer to self-medicate. Doctors strongly recommend paying attention to coughing in the absence of fever. Seeking help early can prevent serious complications from whooping cough.

Complications after whooping cough

Whooping cough, like many infectious diseases, is dangerous due to its complications. Complications are by nature very insidious and unpredictable. It seems that the disease has already been defeated, but problems appear, fraught with consequences. It happens that complications are asymptomatic, but they still weaken an already depleted body.

The same often happens with whooping cough. Complications after the disease are most often associated with pertussis infection or secondary flora. It can be:

• Pneumopertussis;
• Pulmonary atelectasis;
• Bronchitis;
• Pneumonia;
• False croup;
• Damage to the cardiovascular system;
• Encephalopathy.

In addition to those listed above, other complications may occur. Due to the tension of the abdominal muscles during coughing, intra-abdominal pressure increases, which leads to the formation of hernias and prolapse of the rectal mucosa.

Cases have been reported of severe coughing resulting in broken ribs and damage to the eardrum. Another bacterial infection can join whooping cough, and, as a result, inflammatory processes in the middle ear, otitis media, may occur.

For young children, the most terrible thing during a coughing fit can be a violation of the rhythm of breathing until it stops. This and convulsions as the cause of brain damage can lead to tragic consequences. Complications after whooping cough indicate that this is a rather serious disease.

Whooping cough: consequences after illness

With timely detection of infection and properly selected therapy, the consequences of whooping cough have little effect on a person’s later life. However, they should not be taken lightly. In some young patients, as a consequence of a severe course of the disease, the following were noted:

• Delays in psychomotor development;
• Speech disorders;
• Hearing loss.

If you do not listen to the recommendations of specialists and do not adhere to all the prescriptions of doctors, you can get a tendency to various diseases of various etiologies.