Can adult whooping cough heal itself?

Written by Li Jian Wu
Pulmonology
Updated on April 20, 2025
00:00
00:00

Adults with pertussis, a condition that can resolve on its own if the symptoms are mild and the body's immune function is normal. However, decisions should be based on individual constitution, and not all patients can self-heal, especially those who are frail or have endocrine diseases generally cannot recover on their own. It is necessary to timely choose macrolide antibiotics and combine them with symptomatic treatment to alleviate symptoms such as cough, difficulty breathing, and fever. Regular exercise is needed to boost immunity.

Other Voices

doctor image
home-news-image
Written by Li Jian Wu
Pulmonology
39sec home-news-image

Where to get tested for whooping cough

Pertussis, commonly known as whooping cough, is a prevalent infectious respiratory disease in children. If the disease is suspected, one can visit a nearby public hospital for a physical examination. Tests can include a complete blood count and erythrocyte sedimentation rate, as well as a sputum culture to identify pathogens such as Corynebacterium diphtheriae and Bordetella pertussis for diagnosis. Typical symptoms include a cough resembling a dog's bark or a crowing sound. Prompt treatment with macrolide antibiotics and cough suppressants and expectorants is necessary to alleviate discomfort.

doctor image
home-news-image
Written by Li Jian Wu
Pulmonology
37sec home-news-image

Does whooping cough require hospitalization for treatment?

This particular disease cannot be certain whether hospitalization is needed; it depends on the severity of the disease, the patient's constitution, the duration of the illness, and the body's sensitivity to the pathogens. If it is just mild paroxysmal spasmodic coughing without persistent high fever, breathing difficulty, or hypoxia, hospitalization is generally not necessary. Treatment can be managed at home with oral medication or nebulized inhalation for symptomatic treatment. The main principle is to eradicate the Bordetella pertussis bacteria.

doctor image
home-news-image
Written by Li Jian Wu
Pulmonology
47sec home-news-image

Is pertussis massage effective?

Pertussis, a respiratory infectious disease, can also be somewhat alleviated by the use of traditional Chinese massage techniques as an auxiliary treatment. However, these should only be used as a supplementary method and cannot completely replace drug treatment for physical illnesses. Pertussis is mostly caused by infection with the Corynebacterium diphtheriae or Bordetella pertussis, and it is a contagious disease. The typical symptoms include paroxysmal, rapid coughing, some children may produce a cough that sounds like a puppy barking, and some may also produce a crowing sound during inhalation. The primary treatment involves using antimicrobial drugs that target the infecting bacteria, which is the most fundamental method of treatment.

doctor image
home-news-image
Written by Li Jian Wu
Pulmonology
44sec home-news-image

What causes fever in pertussis?

Pertussis, a symptom caused by the infection of Corynebacterium diphtheriae or Bordetella pertussis, facilitates the presence of these substantive pathogens in the body. These pathogens stimulate the body's temperature regulation center, leading to immune fever symptoms. This is a reaction where the body's resistance is fighting against these pathogens, causing a rise in body temperature which is considered normal. During the acute phase, symptomatic treatment should be administered. At the same time, based on the type of infectious pathogen, a sensitive antimicrobial agent should be chosen for etiological treatment. Additionally, it's important to drink plenty of fluids and maintain clean indoor air.

doctor image
home-news-image
Written by Li Jian Wu
Pulmonology
54sec home-news-image

Treatment methods for pertussis

For the treatment of whooping cough, the first step should be to drink plenty of water and maintain a suitable indoor temperature and humidity. In terms of medication, it is necessary to choose macrolide antibiotics and adhere to an inflammatory treatment course. Clinically common drugs include erythromycin, roxithromycin, azithromycin, clarithromycin, etc., and generally, medication is required for at least about ten days. At the same time, it is recommended to use antitussive and expectorant drugs. If there are symptoms of breathing difficulty, oxygen inhalation can also be administered. There are many expectorant drugs clinically available, such as carbocisteine or She Dan Chuan Bei liquid, ambroxol oral solution, etc., all of which can serve the function of suppressing coughs and expelling phlegm.