What does "one hundred days" in whooping cough refer to?

Written by Li Jian Wu
Pulmonology
Updated on September 01, 2024
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The clinical term "whooping cough" is so named because the term "hundred days" refers to the duration of the cough, symbolizing that the cough lasts a long time, the disease course is prolonged, and it tends to recur. It doesn’t necessarily mean that one will cough for exactly one hundred days. One should relax and have the correct understanding. For treating such diseases, sensitive antibiotics should be used promptly, along with symptomatic treatment. Blood tests such as a complete blood count and C-reactive protein should be conducted, along with chest X-ray, and sputum pathogen culture for definitive diagnosis, to ensure early detection and treatment.

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Written by Li Jian Wu
Pulmonology
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Is whooping cough an infectious disease?

Pertussis, also known as whooping cough, is a contagious disease that is a respiratory tract infection. It primarily spreads through airborne droplets and close daily contact. Clinically, there is a vaccine available for this condition, mainly the DTP (diphtheria, tetanus, and pertussis) vaccine. Following the vaccination schedule and developing antibodies can effectively prevent the disease. This disease has a lengthy course and can easily cause recurrent coughing episodes and persistent symptoms. It is important to correctly understand and be aware of the characteristics of its onset. If suspected, early examination and timely selection of medications for symptom control are essential, along with addressing the underlying cause.

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Written by Li Jian Wu
Pulmonology
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How is whooping cough diagnosed?

If the body exhibits symptoms of coughing, and persistent cough which highly suspects whooping cough, bacterial culture can be performed. Initially, a nasopharyngeal swab can be taken; during the spasmodic phase of coughing, sputum culture can be chosen for specimen collection for bacterial culture, with a higher positive rate in the early stages. Fluorescent antibody staining can also be conducted, which involves making a smear from a nasopharyngeal swab, aiding in rapid diagnosis. Serological tests can also be performed, conducting double serum agglutination tests and complement fixation tests, and if the antibody titer rises, it can be confirmed as an infection of this disease.

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Written by Li Jian Wu
Pulmonology
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whooping cough symptoms

Whooping cough is a common respiratory infectious disease, mainly caused by infection with Bordetella pertussis. Typical symptoms include colds, runny nose, etc., and feature paroxysmal coughing. The main characteristic is paroxysmal, spasmodic coughing that occurs in strings, with more than ten or even dozens of coughs at a time. The coughing increases abdominal pressure, leading to nausea and vomiting. Infants and young children may also experience a barking cough and wheezing. Some may also experience symptoms such as urinary and fecal incontinence, flushed face, runny nose, teary eyes, and cyanosis of the lips. Once diagnosed, it is important to promptly select sensitive antibiotics for anti-inflammatory treatment. Currently, the main approach to managing this disease is prevention, including timely vaccination against whooping cough.

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Written by Li Jian Wu
Pulmonology
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Is whooping cough easy to treat?

Whooping cough is treatable. This disease is a highly contagious respiratory tract infection common in children. Its main characteristics are paroxysmal, spasmodic coughing. Some children may also have a bark-like cough and a crowing sound during inhalation. It is important to correctly identify and check the pathogen, which could be due to infection by the diphtheria bacillus or the whooping cough bacillus. Typically, it can be treated with intravenous macrolide antibiotics or penicillin antibiotics to eliminate the pathogen, along with symptomatic treatment.

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Written by Li Jian Wu
Pulmonology
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How is whooping cough diagnosed?

If the body has chronic cough symptoms that do not heal over time and recur frequently, it is suspicious of pertussis infection. To confirm this disease, corresponding auxiliary examinations are needed, such as a complete blood count and sputum culture. If Bordetella pertussis or Corynebacterium diphtheriae are cultured from the sputum, a diagnosis can be made. It is also necessary to combine clinical symptoms and promptly use sensitive antibiotics and cough-relieving expectorant drugs for symptomatic treatment, adjusting the mindset to avoid mental tension.