What should I do if whooping cough keeps recurring?

Written by Tong Peng
Pediatrics
Updated on February 25, 2025
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Whooping cough is repeatedly characterized by coughing due to its specific etiology. As a type of upper respiratory tract infectious disease, whooping cough mainly results from external stimuli causing respiratory infections. It tends to affect populations with weaker immunity and resistance, especially infants. Furthermore, in daily life, it's important to avoid contact with or consumption of foods that may cause allergies or irritate the respiratory and gastrointestinal tract. It's crucial to ensure proper ventilation in living environments, and symptomatic medication should be administered to whooping cough patients. Treatment may involve oral medications or inhalation therapy, and regular follow-ups are necessary to control the condition and prevent recurrence.

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Written by Li Jian Wu
Pulmonology
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Where to treat whooping cough?

Pertussis, a respiratory infectious disease, is recommended to be checked and treated at local formal medical institutions. Once diagnosed, the main principle is to kill the Corynebacterium diphtheriae and choose sensitive antibiotics, such as macrolide antibiotics like erythromycin, azithromycin, or clarithromycin. Additionally, symptomatic treatment should be provided, including oxygen therapy for breathing difficulties, using medications to relieve bronchial smooth muscle spasms, thinning mucus, and alleviating uncomfortable symptoms such as coughing. It is also important to drink plenty of water, rest, and maintain good hygiene.

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Written by Li Jian Wu
Pulmonology
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What does "one hundred days" in whooping cough refer to?

The clinical term "whooping cough" is so named because the term "hundred days" refers to the duration of the cough, symbolizing that the cough lasts a long time, the disease course is prolonged, and it tends to recur. It doesn’t necessarily mean that one will cough for exactly one hundred days. One should relax and have the correct understanding. For treating such diseases, sensitive antibiotics should be used promptly, along with symptomatic treatment. Blood tests such as a complete blood count and C-reactive protein should be conducted, along with chest X-ray, and sputum pathogen culture for definitive diagnosis, to ensure early detection and treatment.

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

If the body exhibits symptoms of coughing, and persistent cough which highly suspects whooping cough, bacterial culture can be performed. Initially, a nasopharyngeal swab can be taken; during the spasmodic phase of coughing, sputum culture can be chosen for specimen collection for bacterial culture, with a higher positive rate in the early stages. Fluorescent antibody staining can also be conducted, which involves making a smear from a nasopharyngeal swab, aiding in rapid diagnosis. Serological tests can also be performed, conducting double serum agglutination tests and complement fixation tests, and if the antibody titer rises, it can be confirmed as an infection of this disease.

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Written by Zeng Hai Jiang
Pediatrics
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Whooping cough belongs to which type of infectious disease?

Pertussis, also known as whooping cough, is an acute respiratory infectious disease caused by the infection of Bordetella pertussis. It is categorized as a Class B infectious disease according to national regulations. Bordetella pertussis has weak resistance to external environments and is generally not considered to spread through indirect contact. The primary mode of transmission is through respiratory droplets. Asymptomatic infected children are the main transmitters of the disease. Children under the age of five are the most susceptible. Babies typically receive their primary immunization at the ages of 3, 4, and 5 months, a booster immunization at 18-24 months, and another booster at the age of 6.

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

Pertussis, also known as whooping cough, is an infectious respiratory disease caused by the infection of Bordetella pertussis or Bordetella parapertussis. Clinically, it is characterized by episodes of sudden, rapid coughing, a bark-like cough, and an inspiratory "crowing" sound. It is also advisable to check the sputum culture to confirm the cause of the disease. In terms of treatment, in addition to symptomatic treatment, macrolide antibiotics should be selected and administered for at least about half a month. Options include intravenous drips of erythromycin injection or azithromycin injection.