Whooping cough, better known as whooping cough, is an acute respiratory infection caused by the bacteria Bordetella pertussis . It is a highly contagious disease that most often affects young children, however older adolescents and adults are susceptible to it and many contract it because their immunity to vaccination has been exhausted. Although this disease poses serious health risks, it can be treated if it is diagnosed early and closely monitored throughout the process.
Responsible for a catastrophic number of deaths prior to its isolation in 1906, an immunization vaccine is now available for protection against pertussis. The vaccine is given through a series of shots and often in conjunction with diphtheria and tuberculosis, such as DPT. The DPT vaccine is still the most common version of childhood vaccination, but several children have had adverse reactions and other variations have developed. Experts believe that the pertussis vaccine loses its effectiveness during adolescence and now recommend that older adolescents receive a booster shot.
Whooping cough has an incubation period that ranges from seven to 30 days. The disease has three stages of development. The first stage, known as the catarrhal stage, develops in the first week or two and is marked by symptoms common to other upper respiratory infections. Runny nose, sneezing, low fever, and mild cough are initial symptoms. Usually, because the symptoms mimic the common cold, the diagnosis does not arrive until the second stage.
During the second stage, the persistent cough gradually worsens. It is common for victims to experience bouts of coughing spasms caused by the body's unsuccessful attempts to dispel the accumulation of mucus in the airways. After coughing, inhalation is marked by a telltale hiss or hiss. Breathing can be difficult and even laborious during this stage.
The final, or convalescent, stage is the recovery stage and can take an additional three to ten weeks. Coughing spasms become less frequent and breathing becomes easier, however the lingering effects of whooping cough can cause discomfort and fatigue. It is best if treatment is given before this final stage.
Antibiotics are used to treat whooping cough, and are most effective in reducing the severity of the disease if given during the early stages. Complications that can arise, especially in young children, include additional upper respiratory problems such as asthma, malnutrition, and, rarely, seizures. The number one risk associated with the disease is secondary bacterial pneumonia. Most whooping cough-related deaths occur in infants and very young children. If a parent suspects that their child has been exposed to the bacteria or exhibits symptoms related to the disease, they should take the child to a medical professional as soon as possible.