Whooping cough (pertussis) is caused by a bacterial infection of the respiratory tract. The condition is characterized by violent and persistent coughing spells and is highly contagious. The disease more commonly infects children, but adults can contract the illness as well. Despite the availability of a vaccine, whooping cough has recently made a very strong comeback (See: www.emedicinehealth.com)
Symptoms
The symptoms of whooping cough can be separated into three phases. The first phase is characterized by typical signs of respiratory infection, including: a runny nose, congestion, sneezing, fever and a occasional cough. This phase may last from one to two weeks. The second phase includes the paroxysmal phase, where infected individuals will experience violent coughing outbursts, breathing problems and occasional vomiting that lasts from one to ten weeks. The last phase consists of a more chronic cough that lasts four weeks or several months.
Is it Whooping Cough?
Despite vaccination, it is important to seek medical care if someone is exposed to whooping cough. Seek immediate medical attention if there are signs of breathing difficulties, uncontrollable vomiting and fever, and dehydration. Your doctor will want to take a swab sample from the nose or throat to determine the presence of the bacteria that causes paroxysmal cough. Blood tests may also be used for diagnosis.
Treatment
If whooping cough is diagnosed, it is necessary to treat the bacterial infection immediately. The doctor will prescribe an antibiotic regimen of a five-day treatment of azithromycin, seven-day treatment of clarithromycin, or 14-day treatment of erythromycin or trimethoprim/sulfamethoxozale. Once the individual begins antibiotic treatment, they will have to be kept in a separate room and monitored for five days. All exposed individuals in the household should be treated with antibiotics. Some strains of whooping cough are resistant to certain antibiotics. If this is the case, treatment may become prolonged and require other antibiotics. Follow up with a doctor as a precautionary measure.
Complications
Failure to treat whooping cough successfully can result in further complication or even death. The most common complication is bacterial pneumonia. Other complications include: oxygen deprivation, lung collapse, retina detachment, sinus infection, ear infection, hernia, brain disorder, rectal prolapse and seizure.
Prevention
All individuals should be updated with the appropriate vaccine. Children younger than seven should receive the DTaP (diphtheria, tetanus, pertussis) shot series, and should do so immediately if exposed. Adults should receive the Tdap vaccine schedule. Frequent hand washing and a mask should be worn to prevent further spread of the illness by infected individuals.
Reference:
www.emedicinehealth.com/whooping_cough/article_em.htm#Whooping%20Cough%20Overview
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