Can whooping cough heal by itself?

Written by Li Jian Wu
Pulmonology
Updated on May 18, 2025
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Whooping cough is a respiratory infectious disease. If the infection is mild and the patient's immune system is normal, they can recover without medication. However, the specific clinical individual differences vary, and decisions should be based on the child's constitution, the quantity of the pathogen, and specific symptoms. If symptoms such as paroxysmal spasmodic coughing or a bark-like cough, which are typical of respiratory infections, appear, it generally will not heal on its own and requires anti-inflammatory medications to eliminate the pathogens and symptomatic treatment.

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Written by Li Jian Wu
Pulmonology
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What does whooping cough mean?

Whooping cough is the name of a disease. It is called whooping cough because the course of the disease is relatively long, and it could potentially last for nearly a hundred days. However, it doesn't necessarily mean that one will cough for a hundred days; it's just a general term indicating that the disease has a long duration and tends to recur easily. This disease is a respiratory infectious disease, transmitted and spread through airborne droplets in clinical settings, with the main pathogens being Corynebacterium diphtheriae and Bordetella pertussis, among others. Personal hygiene habits in daily life should be paid attention to, and once diagnosed, antibiotics should be selected in time for anti-inflammatory treatment.

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Written by Li Jian Wu
Pulmonology
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Pertussis vaccine side effects

In clinical practice, the pertussis vaccine commonly used is mostly the DTP (Diphtheria, Tetanus, and Pertussis) vaccine, which primarily includes diphtheria, pertussis (whooping cough), and tetanus. This vaccine effectively prevents these three infectious diseases. Common adverse reactions and side effects from the vaccine injection include local muscle site reactions such as redness, swelling, and hard lumps; if there is a secondary bacterial infection, it may also lead to purulent discharge. Additionally, some patients may experience transient fever symptoms, generally not lasting more than twenty-four hours, followed by common gastrointestinal reactions.

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Written by Li Jian Wu
Pulmonology
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How long is the incubation period for whooping cough?

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 Wu Ben Rong
Pediatrics
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How to treat whooping cough?

Whooping cough is a severe infectious disease that is relatively common in children. The main treatment for the disease still primarily involves antimicrobial drugs, supplemented by symptomatic treatment and treatment for complications. If a child has severe coughing, they may experience choking, and in necessary cases, tracheal intubation and mechanical ventilation may be required. If other symptoms occur, targeted treatments must be carried out to alleviate the various clinical symptoms of the child. The treatment duration for whooping cough is relatively long, so parents need to be patient. If a child has not had whooping cough, they should be vaccinated with the DTaP vaccine to prevent the disease.

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

Pertussis, commonly known as whooping cough, is primarily caused by the infection of Bordetella pertussis. The main transmission routes are through the respiratory tract or via close contact, particularly in classrooms where young children are present, which can easily lead to cross-infection. The disease has an incubation period of about three to seven days, and in some cases, it can range from two to three weeks. Children under the age of five have the highest incidence rate. Clinically, vaccination is recommended for prevention. Once infected, the early stages of the disease resemble those of a common cold, with typical symptoms being paroxysmal, spasmodic coughing.