Whooping cough (pertussis) is a highly contagious respiratory tract infection. In many people, it's marked by a severe hacking cough followed by a high-pitched intake of breath that sounds like "whoop." Show Before the vaccine was developed, whooping cough was considered a childhood disease. Now whooping cough primarily affects children too young to have completed the full course of vaccinations and teenagers and adults whose immunity has faded. Deaths associated with whooping cough are rare but most commonly occur in infants. That's why it's so important for pregnant women — and other people who will have close contact with an infant — to be vaccinated against whooping cough. Products & Services
SymptomsOnce you become infected with whooping cough, it takes about seven to 10 days for signs and symptoms to appear, though it can sometimes take longer. They're usually mild at first and resemble those of a common cold:
After a week or two, signs and symptoms worsen. Thick mucus accumulates inside your airways, causing uncontrollable coughing. Severe and prolonged coughing attacks may:
However, many people don't develop the characteristic whoop. Sometimes, a persistent hacking cough is the only sign that an adolescent or adult has whooping cough. Infants may not cough at all. Instead, they may struggle to breathe, or they may even temporarily stop breathing. When to see a doctorCall your doctor if prolonged coughing spells cause you or your child to:
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You may opt-out of email communications at any time by clicking on the unsubscribe link in the e-mail. The most important treatment for Pertussis is prevention. The DPT vaccine is provided to infants and although there may be some discomfort from the injection, it is generally safe and effective. There may be extremely rare but serious adverse reactions in some children. These should be immediately brought to the attention of a physician when they begin to appear. An acellular vaccine, which is made with part of the bacterium that causes Pertussis rather than the whole bacterium, is available for vaccination of infants. Known as Tripedia, the vaccine is manufactured by Connaught Laboratories. It is hoped that this acellular vaccine will produce fewer side effects (e.g., fever, seizures, etc.) than cellular vaccines. Adverse reactions have been associated with the Diphtheria Pertussis Tetanus (DPT) vaccination and the risk for these reactions increases with age. In most circumstances, vaccination is not recommended for children over the age of seven years. Adverse reactions may be local or systemic. Local reactions may include pain, skin redness (erythema), and/or swelling. Elevated temperature is a common systemic reaction to the pertussis vaccine. In some rare cases, a fever of over 104.9F degrees has been reported. Other very rare complications have included seizures, shock, and severe hypersensitivity reactions (anaphylaxis). The most severe complication of the DPT vaccination is the very rare occurrence of brain inflammation (encephalopathy). (For more information on these allergic reactions, choose "Anaphylaxis" as your search term in the Rare Disease Database.) A new combined vaccine, known as Certiva, for diphtheria, tetanus, and acellular pertussis (DTaP) has been approved by the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) as a preventative measure against these illnesses. For more information, contact: NIH/National Institute of Child Health and Human Development 9000 Rockville Pike Building 31 Rm 2a32, Msc 2425 Bethesda, M. 20892 Tel: (301) 496-5133 Fax: (301) 496-7101 Website: http://www.nih.gov/nichd/ Treatment The treatment of Pertussis involves the administration of antibiotic drugs that help to clear the bacteria from the throat of affected individuals, usually within three to four days. By the fourth day of treatment, the disease is no longer contagious. Erythromycin is the antibiotic drug of choice and is routinely given because it halts transmission of the disease to others. A course of antibiotic therapy may also be prescribed to those individuals who have been in close contact with affected individuals, especially children. The combination of trimethoprim-sulfamethoxazole is an alternative antibiotic therapy that is given to those who cannot tolerate erythromycin. Recently, the Centers for Disease Control (CDC) reported that erythromycin may caus. pyloric stenosis, a severe stomach disorder, in some babies. Pyloric stenosis blocks digestion and causes projectile vomiting. However, while CDC urges physicians and parents to be aware of this potentially serious side-effect, it does not recommend that physicians stop prescribing erythromycin for Pertussis. Seriously ill infants with Pertussis should be kept in a dark and quiet room. They should be disturbed as little as possible to help prevent frequent episodes of severe coughing. Close attention should be paid to the nutritional needs of the infant, since poor nutrition can contribute significantly to complications. Small meals should be given as frequently as possible. Expectorant cough mixtures, cough suppressants, and sedatives are of little value and should be used cautiously or not at all. Hospitalization may be recommended for seriously ill infants with Pertussis. Parenteral fluid (IV) therapy may be required to replace salt and water loss if vomiting is severe. Careful suctioning of the throat may become necessary to clear excessive mucous secretions. When suctioning is not able to clear the airway, a surgical procedure may be performed to create a temporary opening into the throat (tracheostomy). A tube is then inserted into this opening, through which oxygen is supplied to the lungs. Oxygen may also be administered to affected infants if their skin and mucous membranes have a bluish discoloration (cyanotic) after the removal of secretions from the throat. This type of intensive supportive care may be lifesaving in very severe cases of Pertussis. Does whooping cough go away on its own?Pertussis bacteria die off naturally after three weeks of coughing. If antibiotics are not started within that time, they are no longer recommended. Antibiotics can also be given to close contacts of persons with pertussis to prevent or lessen the symptoms.
What is the fastest way to recover from whooping cough?Take antibiotics exactly as prescribed by the doctor. Keep your home free from irritants – as much as possible – that can trigger coughing, such as smoke, dust, and chemical fumes. Use a clean, cool mist humidifier to help loosen mucus and soothe the cough. Wash hands often with soap and water for at least 20 seconds.
How long does whooping shot cough last?Adults working with infants and young children under 4 years of age and all health care workers should receive a dose of pertussis vaccine. A booster dose is recommended every 10 years.
What happens if whooping cough is left untreated?It is a serious lung infection caused by bacteria. It is also very contagious and causes coughing fits. Whooping cough is most serious for babies with very small airways. It can lead to death.
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Whooping cough how long does it last
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