Whooping Cough is diagnosed by testing the fluid collected from your nose. Pertussis or whooping Cough is an acute respiratory infection identified by a deep cough with a high-frequency whooping sound. It occurs mainly in 5-year-old children. The severity occurs under 1 year old children. About 7,800 cases of Whooping Cough occur in the US every year. Pertussis produces poisonous chemicals that severely affect the respiratory tract. There are 2 main symptoms of Whooping Cough-
- Slight fever
- Harsh, violent, and rapid cough
- Runny nose
- The coughing spells may turn the nailbeds, tongue, and lips blue
- Watery, sore eyes
- Sneezing
Usually, it takes 2 weeks to develop the characteristic whoop and it can continue to persist for 3-4 weeks or more. The intensity of the cough increases in the night. The accumulation of cough often leads to vomiting. In a few cases, the complications may lead to seizures and pneumonia. The usual treatment for the whooping cough is the intake of antibiotics. While in some cases, the cure includes sedatives to replace the loss of fluids due to vomiting.
The Whooping Cough Vaccine is injected along with tetanus & diphtheria vaccines in a shot known as DTaP and Tdap. It must also be noted that these 2 shots do not offer protection for a lifetime. Pregnant women should get themselves vaccinated between 16 to 32 weeks of pregnancy to protect their babies against pertussis. However, you can take the vaccine anytime from sixteen weeks to thirty-eight weeks but it may prove to be less effective comparatively.
Post the DTaP and Tdap shots it takes two weeks for immunity development. The DTaP shot is for children under 7 years. The Tdap shot is for kids above 7 years, pregnant women, adults, and adolescents.
Hygiene
Hygiene plays a vital role in curing pertussis naturally. It is advisable to cover your nose and mouth with the help of a cotton handkerchief or tissue paper while sneezing or coughing. After usage discard the used handkerchief or tissues in the dustbin. In case of non-availability of handkerchiefs or tissues, the infected person should sneeze or cough into the elbow or upper sleeve or elbow. To avoid the spreading of germs avoid seeing and coughing into your hands.
Pertussis should be taken seriously as it may lead to deadly health complications in some cases. With the advancement of technology and the passage of time, there have been a lot of improvements in the vaccination and medication against Whooping Cough resulting in a tremendous decline in the death rates. The infected babies under 12 months need care under strict supervision in the hospital.
Self-care
It is advisable to take a lot of rest to cure pertussis. A dark and quiet room may help you to rest better and relax to recover at a faster pace. Drink a lot of fluids such as soups, juices, and water. Eat semi-solid foods in small quantities more frequently. Keep the room clean and hygienic to avoid transmission.
