Whooping cough is transmitted through respiratory droplets.

Written by Li Jian Wu
Pulmonology
Updated on October 29, 2024
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Pertussis is mainly transmitted through airborne droplets and is a commonly seen respiratory infectious disease in clinical settings. If a child is at school and classmates have pertussis without antibodies in their body, it is quite possible for the infection to occur, commonly seen in babies under five years old. If there are episodes of spasmodic, convulsive coughing accompanied by a barking sound or a crowing sound during inhalation, this disease should be highly suspected, and prompt culturing of the pathogen is needed for confirmation.

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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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Can whooping cough be cured?

Pertussis, the disease, can be cured with timely and proper treatment, so there's no need to fear. It's important to clear any concerns and understand this correctly. Pertussis is primarily an acute infectious respiratory disease caused by Bordetella pertussis or Corynebacterium diphtheriae. The main clinical approach is to prevent the disease by administering the DTP vaccine. Once infected, the disease is characterized by typical paroxysmal bouts of coughing, including spasmodic coughing, sometimes accompanied by a crowing inspiratory stridor, and in some cases, symptoms resembling a barking cough. It is called pertussis because the course of the disease is long, but there should be no excessive fear as it can be completely cured with prompt treatment.

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Written by Zeng Hai Jiang
Pediatrics
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Whooping cough belongs to which type of infectious disease?

Pertussis, also known as whooping cough, is an acute respiratory infectious disease caused by the infection of Bordetella pertussis. It is categorized as a Class B infectious disease according to national regulations. Bordetella pertussis has weak resistance to external environments and is generally not considered to spread through indirect contact. The primary mode of transmission is through respiratory droplets. Asymptomatic infected children are the main transmitters of the disease. Children under the age of five are the most susceptible. Babies typically receive their primary immunization at the ages of 3, 4, and 5 months, a booster immunization at 18-24 months, and another booster at the age of 6.

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Written by Li Jian Wu
Pulmonology
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Is the lymphocyte count high in whooping cough?

Pertussis, a disease caused by a bacterial infection, leads to an increase in lymphocytes beyond normal levels during the acute phase. If secondary infections occur, the relative lymphocyte count may decrease. The examination of these white blood cells is only an auxiliary test; culturing the pathogen or using fluorescent antibody staining are also viable methods that can definitively diagnose a pertussis infection. This condition can cause paroxysmal, spasm-like coughing, and some may exhibit a barking cough. Once diagnosed, medication should be selected according to the treatment course, with regular follow-ups.

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Written by Zeng Hai Jiang
Pediatrics
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Can a routine blood test detect whooping cough?

Whooping cough is an acute respiratory infectious disease caused by Bordetella pertussis infection, commonly seen in children. The main symptoms are paroxysmal spasmodic coughing and a crowing inspiratory whoop. The disease has a long course and may be complicated by pneumonia, neurological diseases, and others. The diagnosis of the disease mainly relies on the cultivation of Bordetella pertussis, detection of Bordetella pertussis DNA, and testing for pertussis toxin antibodies. In this disease, the routine blood test will also show a significant increase in the white blood cell count, lymphocyte count, and white blood cell differential.