WHOOPING COUGH
Whooping cough (also known as pertussis) is a bacterial infection that gets into
your nose and throat. It spreads easily, but vaccines like DTaP (diphtheria,
tetanus, and pertussis) and Tdap (tetanus, diphtheria, and pertussis) can help
prevent it in children and adults.
SYMPTOMS: -
At first, whooping cough has the same symptoms as the average cold:
Mild coughing
Sneezing
Runny nose
Low fever (below 102 F)
You may also have diarrhoea early on.
After about 7-10 days, the cough turns into “coughing spells” that end with a whooping sound as
the person tries to breathe in air.
Because the cough is dry and doesn't produce mucus, these spells can last up to 1 minute.
Sometimes it can cause your face to briefly turn red or purple.
Most people with whooping cough have coughing spells, but not everyone does.
Infants may not make the whooping sound or even cough, but they might gasp for air or try to
catch their breath during these spells. Some may vomit.
Sometimes adults with the condition just have a cough that won’t go away.
COMPLICATIONS: -
Whooping cough is dangerous in babies, especially ones younger than 6 months old, because it
can keep them from getting the oxygen they need. This can cause:
Brain damage or bleeding on the brain
Pneumonia
Seizures
Apnea
Convulsions
Whooping cough (also known as pertussis) is a bacterial infection that gets into
your nose and throat. It spreads easily, but vaccines like DTaP (diphtheria,
tetanus, and pertussis) and Tdap (tetanus, diphtheria, and pertussis) can help
prevent it in children and adults.
SYMPTOMS: -
At first, whooping cough has the same symptoms as the average cold:
Mild coughing
Sneezing
Runny nose
Low fever (below 102 F)
You may also have diarrhoea early on.
After about 7-10 days, the cough turns into “coughing spells” that end with a whooping sound as
the person tries to breathe in air.
Because the cough is dry and doesn't produce mucus, these spells can last up to 1 minute.
Sometimes it can cause your face to briefly turn red or purple.
Most people with whooping cough have coughing spells, but not everyone does.
Infants may not make the whooping sound or even cough, but they might gasp for air or try to
catch their breath during these spells. Some may vomit.
Sometimes adults with the condition just have a cough that won’t go away.
COMPLICATIONS: -
Whooping cough is dangerous in babies, especially ones younger than 6 months old, because it
can keep them from getting the oxygen they need. This can cause:
Brain damage or bleeding on the brain
Pneumonia
Seizures
Apnea
Convulsions
