Whooping cough
Whooping cough, sometimes known as pertussis, is a bacterial infection of the lungs and breathing tubes. It spreads quickly.
Symptoms of whooping cough
The first signs and symptoms of whooping cough usually show seven to ten days after infection; however, they can occasionally take longer.
They typically start mild and resemble an ordinary cold:
- Runny nose
- Nasal blockage
- Red, tearing eyes
- Fever
- Cough
Signs and symptoms start to get worse after a week or two.
- Induce vomiting
- Cause a lot of tiredness
- Finishing with a high-pitched “whoop” sound on the subsequent air intake.
When to seek a doctor?
If persistent coughing results along with any of the following symptoms,
- Vomit
- Having difficulty breathing or having observable breathing pauses
- Take a whooping breath in
Causes and complications of whooping cough
Bordetella pertussis is a kind of bacterium that causes whooping cough. Tiny germ-filled droplets are released into the air when an infected person coughs or sneezes, and anybody can breathe them into their lungs, which becomes contagious.
Teenagers and adults frequently make a full recovery from whooping cough.
When problems do arise, they frequently stem from exhausting coughing,
- Internal hernias
- Ribs with bruises or cracks
- Skin or eyes may have broken blood vessels
Preventing a whooping cough
The most suitable way to control whooping cough is with the pertussis vaccine, which doctors often give in blend with vaccines against — diphtheria and tetanus. Doctors suggest starting vaccination during infancy.
If exposed to someone whooping cough, the doctor may suggest antibiotics to shield against the infection.
Reviewed by – Dr. Priyanka, MBBS MD Microbiology
Page last reviewed: 16 JULY 2022