Why is whooping cough worse at night?

Written by Li Jian Wu
Pulmonology
Updated on May 09, 2025
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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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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 Zeng Hai Jiang
Pediatrics
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Will there be shadows in the lungs after recovery from whooping cough?

Whooping cough is an acute respiratory infectious disease caused by Bordetella pertussis infection, commonly seen in children, with children under five years old being the most susceptible. The main clinical symptoms include paroxysmal spasmodic coughing and a crowing, inspiratory whoop, with the cough being more pronounced at night. The symptoms of whooping cough are severe, but the physical signs are mild. During lung auscultation, no dry or moist rales can generally be heard, and imaging examinations are also normal. However, whooping cough may be complicated by bronchopneumonia, bronchiectasis, and other complications, in which case lung X-rays may show shadows, but these shadows will disappear after recovery from the treatment.

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Written by Tong Peng
Pediatrics
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The difference between pertussis and allergic cough

Pertussis (whooping cough) and allergic cough are different. Firstly, pertussis is an acute respiratory infectious disease caused by Bordetella pertussis. Its symptoms include paroxysmal and frequent coughing, sometimes accompanied by a deep, crowing, inspiratory whoop sound. If not treated promptly, the condition can last for several months, which is why it is called whooping cough. Due to its high contagiosity and epidemic history, if infants contract pertussis, their condition can worsen, making them prone to complications like severe pneumonia or heart failure. However, allergic cough is a non-infectious condition primarily caused by hypersensitivity of the airways, easily triggered by various external allergens, leading to irritating dry coughs, but not worsening to lower respiratory tract infections. In daily life, by avoiding environmental allergens and using treatments such as nebulization and oral antiallergic medications, management is possible.

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Written by Li Jian Wu
Pulmonology
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Pertussis Vaccine Precautions

Precautions for receiving the pertussis vaccine include, firstly, going to a formal medical institution for the vaccination. After routine disinfection of the local skin, the vaccine is usually administered subcutaneously. After vaccination, it is necessary to remain at the medical institution for observation for half an hour before leaving. Additionally, avoid taking a bath within twenty-four hours after vaccination, as the vaccination involves a skin incision. If the needle hole has not healed, bathing could cause the bath water or products like shower gel or soap to potentially lead to a secondary bacterial infection at the injection site.

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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.