Whooping cough is a dangerous respiratory infection caused by bacteria. The most characteristic symptom for him is a spasmodic cough with attacks. In most cases, they suffer from preschool children. This disease is especially dangerous for babies under two years of age.
Symptoms and causes of whooping cough in a child
Only another person can become a source. Especially dangerous are those who are at the initial stage of the disease - from the first to the twenty-fifth day. The incubation period is from one to two weeks, but not more than three.
Symptoms of whooping cough in a child and stages of the disease
The illness itself can last for six weeks. There are several stages of it: catarrhal, paroxysmal and recovery.
The catarrhal period lasts for one to two weeks, accompanied by runny nose, sneezing, sometimes fever and cough, whichdoes not become less from the means used. By the third week it becomes stronger. Cough takes the form of attacks, especially at night, and the disease begins to move into a paroxysmal stage. From the third to the fourth week there is a spasmodic cough with sputum. During attacks, the patient becomes red, sticks out his tongue, the frenulum of the tongue may be injured, sometimes hemorrhage may occur in the mucous membrane of the eye. It is worth remembering that the symptoms of whooping cough in an infant are not manifested by typical coughing fits. Instead, after a few bursts of coughing, breathing stops for a while, and this can be very life-threatening. With recovery, coughing fits become less and less, the patient begins to feel normal. This cough may reappear within the first few months after illness, usually triggered by a common cold.
Symptoms of whooping cough in a child and possible complications
The most common complication is pneumonia, which is caused by whooping cough or a secondary bacterial infection. In a particularly severe form, with a high percentage of death, whooping cough occurs in children in the first months of life.
Whooping cough in children: symptoms, treatment and what can you do?
If you suspect whooping cough, see your doctor immediately. This is a very dangerous disease and must be treated under the strict supervision of a physician. Sick children (especially at a younger age) are recommended to providemaximum rest, as external stimuli can again cause coughing fits. For older children with mild disease, bed rest is not required. Anything that provokes a cough should be avoided. It is recommended to walk outdoors more often and ventilate the room.
What can a doctor advise?
It is required to be vaccinated on time - and diphtheria, whooping cough will be bypassed. It is also necessary to be examined by a doctor. The patient can be hospitalized only in the most severe cases. The basis of treatment are macrolide antibiotics.
