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Children's Health
Whooping Cough
 Whooping cough, a bacterial infection in childhood is caused by
the bacterium Bordetalla pertussis. The bacteria is highly infectious and is
found in the mouth, nose and throat of an infected child. Infection is spread
by inhalation of airborne drops coughed out by the infected persons. It can
be very serious for children under 2 years of age. But there is effective
vaccination against this dissease so the incidence and severity of the disease
has been lessened.
The disease begins with a cold and a mild cough and effects the
respiratory tract and the lungs. After this, continual coughing bouts
which lasts up to one minute sets in. At the end of each coughing bout, the
child draws in the breath with a characteristic whooping sound. Coughing attacks
may occur up to 40 times a day, and is often worse at night. After about two
weeks the symptoms begin to subside although the cough may persist for 6-10
weeks.
Symptoms
The incubation period (the time between contracting the infection
and the appearance of the main symptoms) of the disease is usually one to three
weeks. The early symptoms of whooping cough are similar to a cold. Other
symptoms may include :
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A runny nose
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Sore, watery eyes
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Poor appetite
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Coughing bouts
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Whooping sound when breathing in between coughing bouts
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Fever & diarrhoea
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Lips, tongue, and nails may turn blue during coughing spells
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Nose bleed & vomiting after the cough
Adverse effects
Whooping cough attacks can be distressing for both the child and
parents. Complications from whooping cough may include damage to the tiny air
sacs and airways in the lungs which may lead to asthma, ear infections, broncho
- pneumonia or convulsions. Other serious complications include rupture
of blood vessels in the brain (cerebral haemorrhage) or eye, retinal detachment
caused violent coughing, tuberculosis and inflammation of the brain. Severe
complications can result in permanent brain damage or death.
Diagnosis
The diagnosis is usually made from the symptoms and in case of
contact with a person suffering from whooping cough. Swabs from the nose and
throat are taken for analysis for confirmation of the disease.
Treatment
Most cases of whooping cough require no specific treatment. Antibiotics
are not recommended except for infants and patients who have other complications.
Treatment is usually by means of bed rest, pain relief and plenty of drinks.
The patient should be kept isolated from others. Very severe cases should be
treated in hospital.
Whooping cough can be prevented by means of vaccination.
This is a combined vaccination against diphtheria, pertussis (whooping cough),
tetanus and hib (dpt/hib) which is usually given at the age of 2, 3 and 4 months.
There is also a booster at 18 months and at 4-6 years of age. The vaccination
may cause fever, redness and swelling in the injected area which may last upto
one or two days. Rarely whooping cough can occur in spite of taking the vaccination.
But these attacks will be mild.
It is advisable that all children should be vaccinated against
whooping cough, as it is important to prevent this dangerous disease.
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