Whooping cough is an infectious disease caused by the bacterium Bordetella pertussis, which affects the respiratory tract causing coughing attacks that affect normal breathing, producing the sensation of suffocation. One of the characteristics of this pathology is the deep explosive sound that is heard when the patient tries to breathe in.
Anyone can get whooping cough, but it is more common in newborns, in whom the coughing spells can be so severe that it can be difficult for them to eat, drink, or breathe. This condition can also lead to ear infections, bronchitis, pneumonia, seizures, brain damage, and death.
At FastlyHealwe, explain in detail the forms of transmission, symptoms, and treatment of whooping cough so that you can identify the signs of this disease and go quickly to a health care center.
Table of Contents
Form of contagion of this disease
Whooping cough is a highly contagious disease that only occurs in humans. It is transmitted between people so that by coughing or sneezing, the nearby individual can inhale the secretions that contain the bacteria. Many babies who contract this condition are infected by family members who care for them and do not know they have it.
For this reason, it is essential to take into account basic hygiene measures such as:
- Cover your mouth whenever we cough.
- Wash your hands after coughing or sneezing.
- Wash your hands frequently to eliminate bacteria, especially before holding or interacting with a newborn or young child.
Symptoms of whooping cough
Whooping cough usually begins with cold-like symptoms, sometimes accompanied by a mild cough or fever. In babies, the cough may be minimal or even absent. Newborns and young children sometimes have a symptom called apnea, which is a pause in their breathing pattern.
The most common and apparent symptoms of pertussis are:
- Rhinorrhea, runny nose, or runny nose.
- Low fever
- Occasional mild cough.
- Apnea, a pause in breathing, which usually occurs in newborns
Because they are very general symptoms and can correspond to the common cold, the doctor must take a sample of the mucus from nasal secretions and send it to the laboratory for examination. In this way, the diagnosis of pertussis can be confirmed, and the patient treated efficiently.
Pertussis Prevention and Vaccination
As mentioned above, whooping cough is a highly contagious and severe disease in babies, which can take their breath away.
The pertussis vaccine is the most effective option to control the transmission of this disease adequately. Therefore, it is recommended to apply the Tdap vaccine, which protects against tetanus, diphtheria, and whooping cough. We stay further away from the bacteria that cause this respiratory disease by taking this preventive measure.
Treatment of this condition
Whooping cough is treated with antibiotics since, in this way, we attack the bacteria that cause the infectious disease.
Treatment can make the infection less severe by starting early before the cough. In addition, treating yourself promptly helps prevent the disease from close contact. Antibacterial drugs should always be taken under a medical prescription and following the indicated dosage. The antibiotics used to fight Bordetella Pertussis bacteria belong to the class of macrolides and are erythromycin, azithromycin, and clarithromycin.
If you suspect this condition, it is essential to visit your doctor as soon as possible and inform him of your doubts.
This article is merely informative, at FastlyHeal .com we do not have the power to prescribe medical treatments or make any type of diagnosis. We invite you to see a doctor in the case of presenting any type of condition or discomfort.
If you want to read more articles similar to Whooping cough: contagion, symptoms, and treatment , we recommend that you enter our Lung and respiratory tract category .
I am a Surgeon with a diploma in comprehensive ultrasound and surgical care residency, an area I am specializing in. During the exercise of my profession, I have realized the need for patients to know the diseases they suffer, and I can tell you that a large part of their complications is due to a lack of information. Being a health web writer allows me to transmit my experience, without borders, to all those readers eager for knowledge, educate them in the prevention of diseases and promote a healthy lifestyle.