Whooping cough or pertussis, as it is called in medical parlance, is an infectious disease. It commonly affects infants during the first year of life, and children up to five years of age.



The disease takes its name ‘pertussis’ from the bacteria that is responsible for the infection - Bordeella pertussis. It is most commonly referred to as a whooping cough however because of the whooping sound that an infected person makes in an attempt to breathe or cough. Great caution needs to be exercised and the condition is a cause for worry, because it is extremely contagious, as the disease can be passed through airborne bacteria. Although there are no age barriers, the disease is most prevalent among infants and children. In the past whooping cough was one of the most common of all childhood infections that most parents would be familiar with. The incidence of whooping cough was reduced dramatically with the help of whooping cough vaccinations. The condition reached the lowest in the mid 1970s. The problem has however started to show resurgence since around 2004, with children who are too young to have gone through the entire course of whooping cough vaccination being the most affected, along with young adults and teenager in whom the immunity has diminished.

The whooping cough as mentioned is an extremely contagious infection. This gives rise to particularly problematic situations, as the symptoms are also not well defined. Until a whooping cough is fairly advanced the symptoms are very easy to confuse with other respiratory conditions or with flu symptoms. Whooping cough symptoms in babies, children, toddlers and even in teenagers may not be very easy to recognize and very often people confuse whooping cough symptoms with tuberculosis symptoms or with some other respiratory ailments like pneumonia symptoms, bronchitis, or croup, asthma symptoms or even strep throat symptoms. Although a whooping cough may be near impossible to distinguish from a variety of other respiratory infections at least in the early stages, if you are aware of the symptoms and effects of the disease it may help to alert you to the warning signs.



One of the symptoms of a whooping cough that is present from the outset of the symptoms would be a persistent cough. As the disease progresses the spasms or coughing fits increase in frequency and in intensity. The persistent coughing can be extremely disturbing to parents as most often it is children who are affected, although there are also cases of whooping cough in adults. The persistent and intense coughing can be quite terrifying and it is not surprising that the symptoms are often confused with the dreaded tuberculosis. The continuous coughing can be tiring enough, but to make it a lot worse a whooping cough often cases fits of coughing at night, keeping you up and making it near impossible to get a good night’s rest. This simply adds to the overall feeling of fatigue, exhaustion and malaise.



Vomiting is also likely to be a problem and may be quite severe in some cases. Vomiting can be particularly worrying in younger children as the fluid loss and dehydration that is brought on by vomiting can cause serious complications. Simply try to keep the patient well hydrated, with oral rehydration fluids, and fruits with a high water content. This is the most important aspect of whooping cough symptoms treatment. Once these severe symptoms pass the worst is over and the severity and presence of all the symptoms begins to decline. Keep in mind that if you’re having any trouble recognizing the symptoms the most characteristic symptom of a whooping cough would be the distinctive whooping sound that is generated towards the end of a coughing spasm. The hacking or barking cough is always followed by this kind of wheezing sound.

Whooping Cough Symptoms

Cold with a Marked Cough

The child develops a cold with a marked cough, which becomes more severe and spasmodic after a few days. At the end of this spasm, the child gives a characteristic whoop. As the paroxysms of coughing increase, the disease becomes less infective.

Vomiting

Vomiting, which is frequent, may lead to the bursting of small blood vessels in tile nose or the conjunctiva of the eyes. The disease may last for several weeks.



Whooping cough symptoms do not appear immediately when infected. It is only after three to twelve days of infections that the symptoms of whooping cough become apparent. Whooping cough symptoms generally start out mild and may even give the impression of simply being a common cold. The early whooping cough symptoms include the following:



• Runny nose and sneezing



• Nasal congestion



• Redness of the eyes and watering



• Low grade fever, and



• Dry cough



The whooping cough symptoms progressively worsen within a week or two, with severe and prolonged bouts of hacking coughing causing other symptoms –



• Fatigue and exhaustion



• Expelling thick phlegm and vomiting



• May cause the patient to go red or blue in the face



• The whooping sound may become apparent when breathing



Whooping cough symptoms in adults are no different from those of the whooping cough symptoms in children or adolescents. However very often adults and adolescents may not develop the distinctive whooping sound and a persistent hacking cough would be the only symptom of a whooping cough.



You should be watchful and cautious when dealing with children and make it a point to seek prompt medical attention if the child vomits, inhales with a whooping sound or if the child turns blue.

Whooping Cough Causes

Whooping Cough Symptoms, Causes, Remedy and Diet

Broncho-Pneumonia and Infection of Middle Ear

The serious complications of whooping cough are broncho-pneumonia and infection of the middle ear. Convulsions may also occur in severe cases.

Whooping Cough Caused by Microorganisms

Whooping cough is caused by the microorganisms Bordetella pertussis and Bordetella parapertussis. Of these, the first one gives rise to more severe infections, the disease is very infectious and spreads by droplet spray.



To say that the whooping cough is contagious would be mild. The infection is highly contagious and if one infant in a group gets infected there it is most likely that all of the other children would also pick up the infection if they have not already received the whooping cough vaccine. Early administration of the whooping cough vaccine is so important because unlike most other childhood infections that breastfed infants are protected against, there is no natural protection against whooping cough. It would be advisable to maintain some sort of quarantine, and keep infected individuals away from any newborn babies or non-vaccinated children. Pregnant women should also be protected against any possible infection.



Whooping cough causes are traced to the Bordetella pertussis bacteria and because of the airborne nature of the infection it is highly contagious. The infection can be caused simply through inhaling the infected airborne droplets that are exhaled by an infected person, when breathing, sneezing or coughing. An unvaccinated person could therefore pick up the infection simply by spending some time in the same room as an infected individual. In most cases where a person has been vaccinated or has some extent of immunity because of a past experience with the disease there is a possibility of a recurrence, but because of some resistance it will not develop into a full blown attack.



The problem is that whooping cough causes very mild symptoms in the initial phase and incubation period, which could span from three days to two weeks. During this time it would simply appear that the individual has a common cold or no infection at all. Unfortunately, the period of contagion begins right from the first sniffle or sneeze, and remains infectious for the entire duration of the illness.

Whooping Cough Infection

The best line of defense against a whooping cough infection by method of preventive action would be whooping cough vaccination. Other preventive measures that are necessary would include wearing face masks if interacting with or sharing an environment with an infected person. It would also be advisable to maintain high levels of hygiene, washing your hands and body thoroughly as the infection could also be picked up through contact with contaminated objects. Avoid touching your nose and mouth at all for risk of transference. If all else fails there are plenty of whooping cough treatment options that are quite effective. Home remedies and home treatments for whooping cough would also be of significant help.

Whooping Cough Treatments using Home Remedies

Whooping Cough home remedies and natural cures, Questions and answers

Whooping Cough Treatment using Garlic

Garlic is one of the most effective remedies for whooping cough. The syrup of garlic should be given in doses of five drops to a teaspoon, two or three times a day, for treating this condition. It should be given more often if the coughing spells are frequent and violent.

Whooping Cough Treatment using Ginger

Ginger is another effective remedy for whooping cough. A teaspoon of fresh ginger juice, mixed with a cup of fenugreek decoction and honey to taste, is an excellent diaphoretic. The fenugreek decoction can be made by boiling one teaspoon of seeds in 250 ml of water till it is reduced to half.

Whooping Cough Treatment using Radish

Syrup prepared by mixing a teaspoon of fresh radish juice with an equal quantity of honey and a little rock salt, is beneficial in the treatment of this disease. It should be given thrice daily.

Whooping Cough Treatment using Almond Oil

Almond oil is valuable in whooping cough. Five drops of almond oil should be mixed with ten drops each of fresh white onion juice and ginger juice, and taken thrice daily for a fortnight. It will provide relief.

Whooping Cough Treatment using Calamus

The herb calamus is another valuable remedy for whooping cough. A pinch of the powder of the roasted herb should be given with a teaspoon of honey. Being antispasmodic, it prevents severe bouts of coughing. For smaller children, the dose must be proportionately smaller.

Whooping Cough Treatment using Onion

According to some naturalists the raw onion can offer some relief in whooping cough treatment. You can simply chop an onion finely to extract the juice and mix this with an equal amount of honey. Allow it to stand for four or five hours and then have a tablespoon of the solution twice a day. This is believed to be an effective home remedy for whooping cough.

Whooping Cough Treatment using Turmeric

Turmeric is another highly valued ingredient among herbalists and practitioners of natural medicine. You use turmeric in either its raw or powdered form. A small pinch of the powder had twice a day is thought to help relieve the whooping cough symptoms.

Whooping Cough Treatment using Raisins

You can use raisins to prepare a sauce that is said to help treat a whooping cough. Simply grind around 100 grams of raisin in regular drinking water, with around a 100 grams of sugar added in. Heat the mixture on medium heat, and preserve the thick liquid that is obtained. Just have a tablespoon of the solution once or twice a day.

Self Care and Home Treatment:

• There is always a risk of dehydration, which is one of the biggest threats, particularly for young children and the aged. Consuming plenty of fluids like water, fruit and vegetable juices, soups and fruits with a high water content should help prevent dehydration.



• To minimize the problem of vomiting it would be best to have smaller and more frequent meals.



• A humidifier or mist vaporizer could help lessen the symptoms by loosening up phlegm and secretions, soothing the cough.



• Make sure that the environment is free of any potential irritants that could aggravate coughing, such as smoke, dust, aerosols and fumes.

Whooping Cough Diet

Whooping Cough : Home Remedies suggested by users

Fruit Diet

At the beginning of the treatment, the child should be kept on orange juice and water for a few days. The child may be put on an all-fruit diet for a few more days after the more serious symptoms have cleared up.



Vitamin C supplements and bioflavanoids could also help boost immunity, as well as essential minerals like zinc. Seek advice from your doctor or nutritionist on supplements and dosages, as self prescription can pose risks.

Other Whooping Cough treatment

Epsom Salts

Epsom salts baths will be beneficial during the initial juice and water fast.

Case of Constipation

In case of constipation, a mild laxative, preferably castor oil, should be administered. This will also relieve the pain in the abdominal muscles, which are usually strained during the paroxy-sms of coughing.

Protection against exposure

The patient should be protected against exposure to cold and moisture as they are likely to aggravate the condition.