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Whooping cough
Whooping cough occurs in children of what age?
Pertussis is an acute respiratory infectious disease caused by Bordetella pertussis infection, mainly characterized by paroxysmal spasmodic coughing, crowing inspiratory stridor, and the coughing often occurs at night. Pertussis can occur in both adults and children, but is more common in children. Children under the age of five are the most susceptible, especially infants who have not been vaccinated against pertussis. Children are generally vaccinated with the primary prophylaxis at the age of three to five months, receive a booster at 18-24 months, and another booster at the age of six. If pertussis occurs in adults, the condition is milder and the course of the disease is shorter.
What is the pertussis vaccine?
The pertussis vaccine we currently administer is a combination vaccine that primarily includes diphtheria, pertussis (whooping cough), and tetanus, commonly referred to as the DTP vaccine. It is generally administered for the first time when a baby is three months old, the second dose at four months of age, and the third dose at five months. A booster vaccine is given again when the child is one and a half to two years old to produce antibodies that can effectively prevent pertussis, a respiratory infectious disease. It is important to detect early, vaccinate in a timely manner, and prevent early.
Can you still get infected with whooping cough after recovery?
If whooping cough has been cured, generally, it won’t infect a person again. However, clinically, a small number of patients might get infected again due to weak immunity, though such cases are relatively rare. Whooping cough is caused by an infection with Bordetella pertussis and is an acute respiratory infectious disease. The source of infection in whooping cough is the patient themselves, and the disease can spread through airborne droplets. Most people who contract this disease will develop corresponding antibodies, so generally, they will not get infected again after recovery. However, some patients with weak constitutions and low immunity might not develop sufficient antibodies after the initial infection, which can potentially lead to a reinfection.
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.
Can whooping cough heal by itself?
Whooping cough is a respiratory infectious disease. If the infection is mild and the patient's immune system is normal, they can recover without medication. However, the specific clinical individual differences vary, and decisions should be based on the child's constitution, the quantity of the pathogen, and specific symptoms. If symptoms such as paroxysmal spasmodic coughing or a bark-like cough, which are typical of respiratory infections, appear, it generally will not heal on its own and requires anti-inflammatory medications to eliminate the pathogens and symptomatic treatment.
Can whooping cough heal on its own?
Pertussis, also known as whooping cough, can recover on its own if the viral load is low and symptoms are mild. However, if symptoms are more typical and accompanied by fever, difficulty breathing, and paroxysmal convulsive coughing, it generally cannot recover without medical help and requires a combination of sensitive antibiotics and symptomatic treatment. Common choices include macrolide antibiotics, such as erythromycin, clarithromycin, and azithromycin. If there are symptoms of respiratory difficulty, oxygen inhalation can be used to alleviate the signs of mucosal hypoxia.
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.
What are the characteristics of the onset of whooping cough?
Pertussis is characterized by its distinctive cough, featuring episodes of spasmodic coughing that is intense and can lead to redness in the face and ears, a runny nose, nausea, vomiting, and headaches, among other complications. Some infants and toddlers may also exhibit a bark-like cough and an inspiratory "crowing" sound. Clinically, it is most commonly seen in children under five years of age. Diagnosis requires testing such as pathogen culture, complete blood count, and chest X-rays. Targeted antibacterial and anti-inflammatory treatments are then administered accordingly.
How to treat whooping cough?
Whooping cough is a severe infectious disease that is relatively common in children. The main treatment for the disease still primarily involves antimicrobial drugs, supplemented by symptomatic treatment and treatment for complications. If a child has severe coughing, they may experience choking, and in necessary cases, tracheal intubation and mechanical ventilation may be required. If other symptoms occur, targeted treatments must be carried out to alleviate the various clinical symptoms of the child. The treatment duration for whooping cough is relatively long, so parents need to be patient. If a child has not had whooping cough, they should be vaccinated with the DTaP vaccine to prevent the disease.
Is pertussis prone to recurrence?
Pertussis is a common respiratory infectious disease. If it is not fully treated and medication is stopped right after the symptoms are alleviated, it is likely to cause repeated relapses and persistent prolongation. Therefore, the treatment of this disease should follow the doctor's advice, choose an adequate amount of antibiotics, and adhere to the prescribed course of treatment. After one course of treatment, a re-examination should be conducted to confirm the absence of the pathogen in the body before discontinuing the medication. Medication should not be stopped merely based on symptom relief, as doing so can easily lead to repeated relapses and prolonged disease, affecting the child’s normal life and, in severe cases, possibly causing delayed growth and development.