Is whooping cough easy to treat?

Written by Li Jian Wu
Pulmonology
Updated on September 08, 2024
00:00
00:00

Whooping cough is treatable. This disease is a highly contagious respiratory tract infection common in children. Its main characteristics are paroxysmal, spasmodic coughing. Some children may also have a bark-like cough and a crowing sound during inhalation. It is important to correctly identify and check the pathogen, which could be due to infection by the diphtheria bacillus or the whooping cough bacillus. Typically, it can be treated with intravenous macrolide antibiotics or penicillin antibiotics to eliminate the pathogen, along with symptomatic treatment.

Other Voices

doctor image
home-news-image
Written by Li Jian Wu
Pulmonology
39sec home-news-image

Where to treat whooping cough?

Pertussis, a respiratory infectious disease, is recommended to be checked and treated at local formal medical institutions. Once diagnosed, the main principle is to kill the Corynebacterium diphtheriae and choose sensitive antibiotics, such as macrolide antibiotics like erythromycin, azithromycin, or clarithromycin. Additionally, symptomatic treatment should be provided, including oxygen therapy for breathing difficulties, using medications to relieve bronchial smooth muscle spasms, thinning mucus, and alleviating uncomfortable symptoms such as coughing. It is also important to drink plenty of water, rest, and maintain good hygiene.

doctor image
home-news-image
Written by Zeng Hai Jiang
Pediatrics
34sec home-news-image

What should be paid attention to in the diet for whooping cough?

Whooping cough is an acute respiratory infectious disease caused by infection with Bordetella pertussis, mainly characterized by paroxysmal spasmodic cough, crowing inspiratory noise, commonly seen in children. In terms of diet, children with whooping cough should eat light and nutritious food. Do not eat spicy, greasy, or cold foods, as spicy foods can irritate the tracheal mucosa, and cold or greasy foods can damage the spleen and stomach, potentially exacerbating inflammatory changes.

doctor image
home-news-image
Written by Li Jian Wu
Pulmonology
31sec home-news-image

Can you still get whooping cough even if you have been vaccinated?

If the whooping cough vaccine is administered effectively and antibodies are produced, it generally prevents reinfection. However, if the vaccine is not administered according to the prescribed schedule, or if no antibodies are produced after the vaccination, exposure to this pathogen may still lead to infection. The disease is characterized by fits of coughing, which can cause blushing, runny nose, tears, nausea, and vomiting. Some children may also experience a barking cough and a crowing sound during inhalation.

doctor image
home-news-image
Written by Li Jian Wu
Pulmonology
37sec home-news-image

How long is the incubation period for whooping cough?

Once the body is infected with the bacterium that causes whooping cough, the incubation period of this disease is about one to two weeks. The contagion is strongest within two to three weeks after becoming ill. This disease is a respiratory infectious disease, mainly transmitted through airborne droplets, with children under five being the most susceptible to infection. Clinically, vaccination is primarily used to prevent the occurrence of the disease. Once infected, symptomatic treatment is needed, and one can also choose macrolide antibiotics, such as clarithromycin and erythromycin, for treatment.

doctor image
home-news-image
Written by Li Jian Wu
Pulmonology
45sec home-news-image

Can whooping cough be cured?

Pertussis, the disease, can be cured with timely and proper treatment, so there's no need to fear. It's important to clear any concerns and understand this correctly. Pertussis is primarily an acute infectious respiratory disease caused by Bordetella pertussis or Corynebacterium diphtheriae. The main clinical approach is to prevent the disease by administering the DTP vaccine. Once infected, the disease is characterized by typical paroxysmal bouts of coughing, including spasmodic coughing, sometimes accompanied by a crowing inspiratory stridor, and in some cases, symptoms resembling a barking cough. It is called pertussis because the course of the disease is long, but there should be no excessive fear as it can be completely cured with prompt treatment.