Does whooping cough cause diarrhea?

Written by Li Jian Wu
Pulmonology
Updated on September 22, 2024
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Mild cases of pertussis, commonly known as whooping cough, generally do not cause diarrhea. Diarrhea is a symptom of the gastrointestinal tract, whereas whooping cough is a contagious respiratory disease caused by a common bacterial infection. It can lead to symptoms such as vomiting, nasal discharge, and tearing due to coughing. The typical symptoms include a cough that sounds like a bark or a crowing sound during inhalation. The main treatment principle is symptomatic treatment, thinning the mucus, and relieving bronchial smooth muscle spasms. During the acute phase, macrolide antibiotics such as erythromycin or azithromycin can be chosen for treatment. (Please use medication under the guidance of a doctor.)

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Written by Li Jian Wu
Pulmonology
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How long does it take to recover from pertussis syndrome?

This disease is called whooping cough mainly because the disease itself has a long course, which led to its name. If not treated in time, some patients may take two to three months to recover. If detected and treated early, generally complete recovery is possible within about 10-20 days. The main symptoms are paroxysmal, spasmodic coughing, some may also exhibit a barking cough, or a crowing inspiration sound, among other typical manifestations.

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Written by Li Jian Wu
Pulmonology
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How is whooping cough diagnosed?

If the body exhibits symptoms of coughing, and persistent cough which highly suspects whooping cough, bacterial culture can be performed. Initially, a nasopharyngeal swab can be taken; during the spasmodic phase of coughing, sputum culture can be chosen for specimen collection for bacterial culture, with a higher positive rate in the early stages. Fluorescent antibody staining can also be conducted, which involves making a smear from a nasopharyngeal swab, aiding in rapid diagnosis. Serological tests can also be performed, conducting double serum agglutination tests and complement fixation tests, and if the antibody titer rises, it can be confirmed as an infection of this disease.

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Written by Li Jian Wu
Pulmonology
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What causes fever in pertussis?

Pertussis, a symptom caused by the infection of Corynebacterium diphtheriae or Bordetella pertussis, facilitates the presence of these substantive pathogens in the body. These pathogens stimulate the body's temperature regulation center, leading to immune fever symptoms. This is a reaction where the body's resistance is fighting against these pathogens, causing a rise in body temperature which is considered normal. During the acute phase, symptomatic treatment should be administered. At the same time, based on the type of infectious pathogen, a sensitive antimicrobial agent should be chosen for etiological treatment. Additionally, it's important to drink plenty of fluids and maintain clean indoor air.

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Written by Li Jian Wu
Pulmonology
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Is whooping cough very harmful?

Pertussis belongs to infectious diseases and certainly poses some risk to health, with the degree of harm varying greatly from person to person. Typical symptoms include paroxysmal, barking coughs, fever, and runny nose. Some may also exhibit cyanosis (bluish hue to lips) and signs of hypoxia. Coughing can also lead to runny nose, teary eyes, and even convulsions, nausea, and vomiting. Some patients may present with an inspiratory crowing sound. Treatment involves anti-inflammatory measures based on the number of infectious pathogens and specific symptoms, and isolation precautions should be taken to prevent the infection from spreading to other children.

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Written by Zeng Hai Jiang
Pediatrics
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How to determine whether it is the paroxysmal stage or the recovery stage of pertussis?

After the incubation period, typical whooping cough goes through three clinical stages. The first stage is the catarrhal stage, also called the pre-paroxysmal stage, during which the infectivity is the strongest. If treated promptly during this stage, the progress of the disease can be controlled. If the catarrhal stage is not effectively controlled, it then enters the paroxysmal stage. During the paroxysmal stage, the patient will experience episodic spasmodic coughing, with more severe episodes at night. During spasms, there will be neck vein distension, swollen and congested eyelids and face, and cyanosis of the lips. This stage can last up to two months. After the paroxysmal stage follows the convalescent stage, where the episodic spasmodic coughing gradually decreases and becomes less severe.