Can whooping cough be vaccinated against?

Written by Li Jian Wu

Pulmonology

Updated on December 31, 2024

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Pertussis can be prevented with a vaccination and is a type of respiratory infectious disease. The main clinical preventive measure is vaccination, specifically with the DTP vaccine, which is a national Category I vaccine and part of basic immunization. The first dose should be administered when the baby is three months old. The DTP vaccine prevents not only pertussis but also diphtheria and tetanus infections. The complete course consists of three injections, with the second and third doses administered in the fourth month and between the fourth and fifth months, respectively.

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Written by Zeng Hai Jiang

Pediatrics

36sec

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How long does it usually take for the blood picture of pertussis to come down when it's too high?

Whooping cough is an acute respiratory infectious disease caused by Bordetella pertussis infection, commonly seen in children. The main clinical symptoms include typical paroxysmal spasmodic cough, crowing inspiratory whoop, with the cough being more prominent at night. In the peripheral blood, there will be a marked increase in white blood cell count, lymphocyte count, and lymphocyte classification. After a confirmed diagnosis of whooping cough, macrolide antibiotics are administered. After a week of aggressive treatment, the blood count typically decreases significantly.

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Written by Li Jian Wu

Pulmonology

45sec

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What fruits can be eaten with whooping cough?

Pertussis, once diagnosed, should be treated promptly with anti-inflammatory treatment and symptomatic care. Regarding diet, common fruits such as apples, bananas, grapes, pears, watermelons, pineapples, avocados, and mangoes can generally be consumed without special restrictions. Eating more pears, tangerines, and oranges can effectively moisturize the lungs, dissolve phlegm, suppress coughs, and alleviate symptoms. It is also important to drink plenty of water and maintain suitable indoor temperature and humidity to aid in recovery from the disease. Early detection and treatment of the disease, and the formulation of individualized treatment measures, are crucial.

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Written by Li Jian Wu

Pulmonology

56sec

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Is whooping cough contagious?

Whooping cough is a contagious disease, and principally transmitted from person to person. Currently, an effective way to prevent this disease is by vaccination with the DTaP vaccine. The name "whooping cough" does not mean the cough lasts for a hundred days; this is just a colloquial expression referring to its prolonged duration. The primary symptoms of this disease include severe, spasmodic coughing, during which the patient may exhibit redness in the face and ears, a runny nose, and even nausea and vomiting. Additional symptoms can include cyanosis of the lips and choking. In severe cases, it can cause whole-body convulsions leading to ischemic and hypoxic encephalopathy. Once diagnosed, it is crucial to promptly treat with antibiotics and medications that relieve bronchial smooth muscle spasms. During the acute phase, corticosteroids may also be used in treatment.

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Written by Li Jian Wu

Pulmonology

37sec

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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.

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Written by Li Ying

Neonatology

1min 18sec

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After receiving the DTP vaccine, can you still get whooping cough?

The DTP vaccine is a combination of pertussis bacteria, diphtheria toxoid, and tetanus toxoid, which can prevent whooping cough, diphtheria, and tetanus simultaneously. The target group for the DTP vaccine is children aged 3 months to 7 years. The DTP vaccine requires three consecutive shots. Only after the three consecutive injections will sufficient antibodies be produced. However, these antibodies can only be maintained for a certain period of time and do not provide lifelong immunity. Many parents mistakenly think that once their child is vaccinated, they are invulnerable to all diseases, but this is an unscientific notion. The efficacy of vaccines is not 100%. The common basic vaccines currently used generally have an efficacy rate of over 80%, meaning that after vaccination, 80% of people will produce antibodies. However, since the antibody concentration of some vaccines can decrease significantly over time to a level that does not reach the immunity concentration, booster shots are necessary.