How long is the incubation period for whooping cough?

Written by Li Jian Wu
Pulmonology
Updated on August 31, 2024
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Once the body is infected with the bacterium that causes whooping cough, the incubation period of this disease is about one to two weeks. The contagion is strongest within two to three weeks after becoming ill. This disease is a respiratory infectious disease, mainly transmitted through airborne droplets, with children under five being the most susceptible to infection. Clinically, vaccination is primarily used to prevent the occurrence of the disease. Once infected, symptomatic treatment is needed, and one can also choose macrolide antibiotics, such as clarithromycin and erythromycin, for treatment.

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Written by Zeng Hai Jiang
Pediatrics
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Will there be shadows in the lungs after recovery from whooping cough?

Whooping cough is an acute respiratory infectious disease caused by Bordetella pertussis infection, commonly seen in children, with children under five years old being the most susceptible. The main clinical symptoms include paroxysmal spasmodic coughing and a crowing, inspiratory whoop, with the cough being more pronounced at night. The symptoms of whooping cough are severe, but the physical signs are mild. During lung auscultation, no dry or moist rales can generally be heard, and imaging examinations are also normal. However, whooping cough may be complicated by bronchopneumonia, bronchiectasis, and other complications, in which case lung X-rays may show shadows, but these shadows will disappear after recovery from the treatment.

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Written by Li Jian Wu
Pulmonology
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Does whooping cough infect adults?

Pertussis, a respiratory infectious disease, can also be transmitted to adults, although the chances are generally small. It mostly occurs in adults with low immunity and those who are frail and ill when they come into contact with the pathogen. The incubation period is about two to three weeks, during which paroxysmal cluster-like coughing occurs, causing facial redness and a runny nose. Some may also experience nausea and vomiting. It is necessary to check chest X-rays, routine blood tests, and sputum pathogen cultures for diagnosis. Early detection and treatment are crucial to prevent other complications.

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Written by Yan Xin Liang
Pediatrics
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Symptoms and Treatment of Whooping Cough in Children

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.

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Written by Li Jian Wu
Pulmonology
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The "hundred days" in whooping cough refers to what?

The whooping cough we refer to clinically is a type of respiratory infectious disease. The term "hundred days" relates to the duration of the disease, which is relatively long, sometimes approaching one hundred days, hence the name whooping cough. However, it does not necessarily mean that one will cough or be infected for such a long duration. The specific circumstances should be determined according to the number of infecting pathogens and the body's immune response. If the immune system is normal and the infection is minor, some patients can recover without medication. Once a severe infection is diagnosed, it is crucial to promptly use sensitive antibiotics and engage in timely anti-inflammatory and symptomatic treatment.

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Written by Li Jian Wu
Pulmonology
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What are the symptoms of pertussis encephalopathy?

Pertussis encephalopathy typically presents with persistent high fever, projectile vomiting, nausea, and severe headaches, which are indicators of increased intracranial pressure. It is necessary to conduct timely auxiliary examinations such as cerebrospinal fluid tests and cranial MRI for diagnosis. In conjunction with clinical symptoms, medications to alleviate cerebral edema and reduce intracranial pressure should be chosen for symptomatic treatment. Typically, corticosteroids are needed during the acute phase, along with mannitol, sedatives, and other symptomatic treatments. Additionally, antibiotics should be used to eliminate the Bordetella pertussis bacterium, the pathogen responsible for the condition.