Symptoms and Treatment of Whooping Cough in Children

Written by Yan Xin Liang
Pediatrics
Updated on September 29, 2024
00:00
00:00

The common symptoms of whooping cough are coughing, prolonged coughing, and spasmodic coughing, which ends with a crowing sound, and it mainly occurs during the night. The face may turn bright red during coughing, which is a typical symptom of whooping cough. For treatment, in the early stages of whooping cough, erythromycin is definitely used and can be effective. However, in pediatrics, if the whooping cough has lasted for a long time, the effectiveness of the treatment is relatively not as good. If the coughing period is long and medication is used in the middle to late stages, even with some treatment, it might still continue for two to three months. Although treatments like cough suppressants and expectorants can alleviate the symptoms, a cough usually still persists to some degree.

Other Voices

doctor image
home-news-image
Written by Li Jian Wu
Pulmonology
33sec home-news-image

Whooping cough vaccine at what age?

The pertussis vaccine is generally administered within the first year of age. Under normal circumstances, children should be taken to hospitals or public health prevention stations for vaccination according to the course of treatment. The first dose starts at the third month after birth, followed by the second dose at four months and the third dose at five months old. A booster can be administered when the baby is two years old. The DTP vaccine used in clinics mainly consists of three components: pertussis, diphtheria, and tetanus.

doctor image
home-news-image
Written by Li Jian Wu
Pulmonology
38sec home-news-image

How is whooping cough treated?

Pertussis, also known as whooping cough, is an infectious respiratory disease caused by the infection of Bordetella pertussis or Bordetella parapertussis. Clinically, it is characterized by episodes of sudden, rapid coughing, a bark-like cough, and an inspiratory "crowing" sound. It is also advisable to check the sputum culture to confirm the cause of the disease. In terms of treatment, in addition to symptomatic treatment, macrolide antibiotics should be selected and administered for at least about half a month. Options include intravenous drips of erythromycin injection or azithromycin injection.

doctor image
home-news-image
Written by Li Jian Wu
Pulmonology
41sec home-news-image

What is whooping cough?

Pertussis, also known as whooping cough, is a highly contagious respiratory tract infection. It primarily infects infants under the age of five, leading to distinctive coughing fits that are paroxysmal and may also include a barking cough or a crowing sound during inhalation. Some may also experience redness of the face and ears, runny nose, teary eyes, abdominal pain, nausea, and vomiting as complications. Upon observing these typical symptoms, it is advised to visit a hospital for appropriate diagnostic tests and timely symptomatic treatment, along with maintaining adequate hydration and keeping the indoor temperature comfortable.

doctor image
home-news-image
Written by Li Jian Wu
Pulmonology
45sec home-news-image

Pertussis and measles transmission pathways

Pertussis and measles are two types of diseases, both of which are respiratory infectious diseases. Pertussis is caused by Corynebacterium diphtheriae or Bordetella pertussis, while measles is an acute, infectious disease caused by the measles virus. Transmission mainly occurs through close contact with infected individuals and via airborne droplets, and it is commonly seen in infants and young children under the age of five. Prevention of these diseases is primarily through vaccination, and once the disease occurs, it is important to promptly treat the infection with anti-inflammatory or antiviral treatments, while also managing the symptoms accordingly.

doctor image
home-news-image
Written by Zeng Hai Jiang
Pediatrics
52sec home-news-image

How to determine whether it is the paroxysmal stage or the recovery stage of pertussis?

After the incubation period, typical whooping cough goes through three clinical stages. The first stage is the catarrhal stage, also called the pre-paroxysmal stage, during which the infectivity is the strongest. If treated promptly during this stage, the progress of the disease can be controlled. If the catarrhal stage is not effectively controlled, it then enters the paroxysmal stage. During the paroxysmal stage, the patient will experience episodic spasmodic coughing, with more severe episodes at night. During spasms, there will be neck vein distension, swollen and congested eyelids and face, and cyanosis of the lips. This stage can last up to two months. After the paroxysmal stage follows the convalescent stage, where the episodic spasmodic coughing gradually decreases and becomes less severe.