Does whooping cough require isolation?

Written by Li Jian Wu
Pulmonology
Updated on January 29, 2025
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Pertussis, this contagious disease, once diagnosed, requires isolation to prevent infection to healthy children or even adults with low immunity. It is necessary to provide an isolated room for the child, and attention should be paid to indoor ventilation, appropriate temperature, frequent cleaning and sunning of clothes and bedding, ensuring adequate and good sleep, and maintaining clean, ventilated air indoors. Dietary adjustments should also be made, avoiding too cold, spicy, or acidic foods. Timely selection of sensitive antibacterial drugs and cough suppressants can help alleviate symptoms of coughing and wheezing.

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Written by Li Jian Wu
Pulmonology
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How long does it take for pertussis-like symptoms to get better at the soonest?

If the body experiences persistent coughing that does not heal, and the hospital examination rules out pertussis, you can suspect it to be a pertussis-like disease if the symptoms are similar. This type of disease generally also requires the selection of sensitive antimicrobial drugs and appropriate cough suppressants. Expectorant medications provide symptomatic treatment. With active and formal treatment, recovery generally occurs within about one to two weeks. It's important to maintain a positive mindset, and pay attention to appropriate indoor temperature and humidity, drink plenty of water, and if there is excessive phlegm, choose medication to dilute the phlegm. Oxygen can also be administered during the acute phase to relieve symptoms of tissue hypoxia.

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Written by Li Jian Wu
Pulmonology
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Is the pertussis vaccine an inactivated vaccine?

The pertussis vaccine is not an inactivated vaccine but a live attenuated vaccine, which primarily stimulates the body to produce antibodies. Once antibodies are produced, it can effectively prevent the disease pertussis. The commonly used pertussis vaccine in clinical settings is the trivalent vaccine, also known as the DTP vaccine, which can prevent pertussis, diphtheria, and tetanus—three infectious diseases caused by pathogens. It is essential to follow medical advice and complete the vaccination schedule as prescribed to achieve prevention. After vaccination, it is crucial to observe for any complications or adverse reactions.

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Written by Li Jian Wu
Pulmonology
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Why is whooping cough worse at night?

One reason why whooping cough is more severe at night is due to the dry air indoors which irritates, and another reason is due to changes in body posture. As the body is in a supine or lateral position during sleep at night, the bronchial mucous secretion cannot be expelled from the body, which stimulates the bronchial nerves and induces symptoms such as coughing. The typical cough is a paroxysmal spasmodic cough, and it can also lead to red face, runny nose, and in severe cases, nasal discharge, tears, nausea, and vomiting. It is necessary to receive timely anti-inflammatory treatment and maintain the cleanliness of the indoor air.

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Written by Li Jian Wu
Pulmonology
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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.

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Written by Li Jian Wu
Pulmonology
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The incubation period of pertussis is how many days?

Pertussis, a respiratory infectious disease, has an incubation period of about seven to fourteen days, and is mostly contracted through contact with an infected person or from infection by the diphtheria bacillus or pertussis bacillus. Initial symptoms resemble those of a common cold and may include a runny nose, sneezing, throat dryness and itch, and an irritating cough. A characteristic symptom of the cough is paroxysmal spasmodic coughing, which may also present with a bark-like coughing sound. Some patients may also exhibit an inspiratory crowing sound. It is advisable to conduct routine examinations of secretions or other corresponding auxiliary tests for diagnosis.