Whooping cough is a rather annoying disease that can affect not only children, but also adults. It is actually an infection that affects the respiratory system. The main symptoms are a strange 'whooping' sound when breathing and a continuous cough. Let's talk about this in more detail, because it can be very dangerous for small babies.
What is Pertussis?
Simply put, whooping cough is an infectious disease that affects our respiratory system, that is, our throat , trachea, and lungs . It is caused by a type of bacteria called `(Bordetella pertussis)` . When these bacteria enter the body, they settle in the respiratory tract and cause a continuous cough. This cough is so severe that sometimes it becomes difficult to breathe when coughing, and when you breathe in again, you can make a 'whoop' sound. That is why it is also called `(Whooping Cough)` in English. However, it is important to remember that this 'whoop' sound does not come to everyone.
This disease can be very dangerous for some people, especially infants under one year old and those with weakened immune systems (meaning their body's ability to fight off illness is reduced). It can also have a serious impact on people with other respiratory illnesses.
What are the symptoms of whooping cough?
When whooping cough starts, it feels like a normal cold. You think, 'Oh, this must be just a cold.' But it takes a few days for the real situation to become clear.
Symptoms seen in the early days
The following symptoms may be observed for the first week or two:
- Frequent vaginal discharge
- Sneezing
- A very subtle cough
- A slight fever (not a high fever, just a little bit of a chill)
What happens when the cough is severe?
After about a week or two, the cough that the little one had becomes a severe cough that comes and goes. This cough is so severe that sometimes it becomes difficult to breathe . Imagine, coughing for minutes at a time, without even having time to breathe.
- At this time, the baby's face may turn red, sometimes even purple , because it's having difficulty breathing.
- When you breathe in after coughing, you may hear that distinctive 'whoop' sound I mentioned earlier.
- Sometimes vomiting can accompany the cough.
How does it affect babies and young children?
Most of the time, babies and young children under a few years old will make that 'whooping' sound with this cough. But not everyone does. Some babies will look like they're struggling to breathe. Their face may even turn blue. The most dangerous thing is that sometimes they stop breathing for a while . In medicine, we call this ``apnea''. This is a very dangerous condition, especially for babies under 6 months old.
How about the young and the old?
For adults and older children (say, 10-12 years old), these symptoms may be a little different. They may just have a persistent cough, without the 'whooping' sound. But remember, if the vaccine is not taken properly, it can cause serious complications even in adults.
How do you know for sure if it's whooping cough?
If you think your child has whooping cough, you should see a doctor immediately . The doctor will ask about your child's symptoms and examine them.
- What is usually done is to take a sample of mucus from the nose and throat and send it to a laboratory. Then we can check for the presence of the bacteria `(Bordetella pertussis)`.
- Sometimes the doctor may decide to do blood tests and a chest X-ray to see if the lungs have been affected or if a condition such as pneumonia has developed.
How is whooping cough treated?
Doctors treat whooping cough with antibiotics . These medications work best if they are started early in the disease, before the severe cough starts. This can help prevent the disease from getting worse. They can also help reduce the risk of spreading the disease to others.
Most importantly, if anyone in your family has whooping cough, be sure to ask your doctor if they need to take antibiotics to prevent the disease from spreading to other family members.
Some children need to be hospitalized for treatment when they develop whooping cough. Babies and young children in particular are hospitalized because they are more likely to develop serious complications, such as pneumonia.
What treatments are available at the hospital?
For young babies, especially those under one year old, whooping cough can be life-threatening and often requires hospital treatment. Here's what they do in the hospital:
- Mucus and other fluids are removed from the child's nose, mouth, and throat. This can be done using a small tube (catheter) or a bulb syringe. This is called suctioning. This is done to clear the airway and make it easier to breathe.
- Always pay attention to the child's breathing. If necessary, you may need to give oxygen, especially when that severe cough comes on.
- If the child has signs of dehydration, meaning they are losing water in their body, or are having difficulty eating or drinking, they may need to be given intravenous fluids (IV fluids) .
- Also, special safety measures are being taken to prevent the spread of this disease to other patients, staff, and visitors at the hospital.
Is whooping cough contagious?
Yes, whooping cough is a very contagious disease . The bacteria I mentioned (Bordetella pertussis) is responsible for this. Do you know how it is transmitted?
When someone with whooping cough coughs, sneezes, or laughs, the bacteria are released into the environment through tiny droplets (like saliva) that come out of their nose and mouth. Then, if a healthy person breathes in that air, or touches a surface contaminated with those droplets and then touches their nose or mouth with the same hand, they can become infected.
It usually takes about one to three weeks for a person to develop symptoms after being exposed to this bacteria.
The greatest potential for transmission is in the early stages of the illness, which is within the first two to three weeks after the onset of coughing. After starting antibiotics, the ability to transmit the disease to others is lost after about five days.
How long does whooping cough last?
Whooping cough usually starts with cold-like symptoms. It lasts for about a week or two. Then comes the severe cough. This severe cough can last for up to three months ! Imagine how difficult that is.
In the final stage, when the cough subsides and the symptoms improve, it can take several weeks for the symptoms to completely disappear. For some children, this recovery period can last for months. That's why some people call it the '100-day cough', but it doesn't happen to everyone.
How can parents help?
If you are treating your child for whooping cough at home, you should give the antibiotics exactly as prescribed by the doctor, and don't skip a single day.
Do not give cough medicines unless recommended by a doctor. Especially never give them to children under 4 years of age. Because they can cause side effects. In fact, cough medicines rarely reduce the cough in whooping cough. Because this cough is actually the body's attempt to clear the airways.
While your child is recovering, give him plenty of bed rest. Using a cool-mist humidifier in the room can help soothe his red, sore lungs and airways. (But be sure to follow the instructions carefully about how to keep the machine clean and free of mold.)
Avoid things in the house that can trigger coughing. For example, keep your child away from aerosol sprays (like perfume sprays), tobacco smoke, cooking fumes, and smoke from wood stoves.
Because children with whooping cough may vomit with their cough or not feel like eating, feed them small, frequent meals rather than large meals at once. Also, give your child plenty of fluids . Watch for signs of dehydration:
- Excessive thirst, irritability, restlessness, lethargy, sunken eyes
- Dry mouth and tongue, sticky feeling, dry skin
- Even if you cry, the tears will not come.
- Decreased frequency of urination (in the case of young babies, decreased frequency of wet diapers)
Can whooping cough be prevented?
Yes! The good news is that whooping cough can be prevented. All you need to do is get the pertussis vaccine . This vaccine is part of the DTaP (diphtheria, tetanus, and pertussis) vaccine that we usually give our children.
What is the vaccination schedule?
The DTaP vaccine is usually given to a child in a series of 5 doses before they turn six years old . However, as the immunity provided by this vaccine may wane over time, a booster shot (Tdap) for whooping cough is given to children between the ages of 11 and 12 as an extra measure of protection.
It is important for young people and adults to get a booster shot if they have not already received it. Also, pregnant women are recommended to get the Tdap vaccine during the second trimester of each pregnancy to protect their newborn. After that, a booster shot is recommended every 10 years for diphtheria and tetanus. At that time, you should ask your doctor if the booster shot should also include whooping cough.
Getting this vaccine is especially important for people who are close to young children , because whooping cough can cause serious, sometimes life-threatening, problems for the baby. Because adults' immunity to whooping cough wanes over time, getting the vaccine can also help protect their babies and older children from the disease.
As with all vaccination schedules, there may be special circumstances and considerations. Your doctor is the one who has the most up-to-date information on this.
People who live with or have close contact with someone who has whooping cough, even if they have previously been vaccinated against whooping cough, should take antibiotics to prevent the spread of the disease . Also, consult your doctor about this.
When should I see a doctor?
If you think your child has whooping cough, or has been in close contact with someone who has whooping cough, see a doctor immediately, even if the child has previously received all the recommended whooping cough vaccines .
This is especially important if your child has a persistent cough and is accompanied by any of the following symptoms:
- If the child's skin or lips turn red, purple, or blue due to coughing.
- If the child vomits after coughing.
- If you hear that 'whoop' sound after coughing.
You should seek immediate medical advice in the following cases:
- If the child has difficulty breathing .
- If the child's breathing stops for a while (`(apnea)`).
- If the child is very lethargic and sleepy.
- If you are showing signs of dehydration.
Final Take-Home Message
Whooping cough is a potentially dangerous disease, especially for young children. However, if we are aware of it, get vaccinated on time, and seek medical advice as soon as symptoms appear, we can protect our children from this annoying disease.
- Vaccinations are the best protection. Make sure your child has received all of their required vaccinations on time. Pregnant mothers and adults who are close to babies should also consider getting a whooping cough booster.
- Be aware of the symptoms. Even if it starts like a common cold, if the cough becomes severe, or if you hear a 'whooping' sound, see a doctor immediately.
- Follow the doctor's instructions exactly. Give antibiotics for the full prescribed period.
- Help prevent the spread of the disease. If someone in your household gets whooping cough, talk to your doctor about steps you can take to prevent spreading it to others.
Remember, your care and prompt action are the most important things for your child's health.
` Whooping cough, Pertussis, Infectious diseases, Children's cough, Vaccination, DTaP, Tdap
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