Characteristics of whooping cough

Written by Li Jian Wu
Pulmonology
Updated on February 01, 2025
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Whooping cough is a respiratory infectious disease characterized by paroxysmal coughing and spasmodic cough. Some patients may exhibit a crowing sound similar to a rooster's crow or a bark-like cough. Adult patients may experience symptoms such as facial redness, runny nose, and vomiting. Diagnostic confirmation requires appropriate auxiliary tests. Once diagnosed, it is recommended to undergo isolation treatment and choose a sufficient amount of effective antibiotics to eradicate the Bordetella pertussis bacteria.

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Written by Li Jian Wu
Pulmonology
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How to diagnose the incubation period of pertussis

The incubation period of whooping cough generally has no autonomous discomfort symptoms. If there is close contact with a patient and the body lacks antibodies, suspecting the presence of this pathogen, corresponding auxiliary examinations can be conducted for diagnosis. Bacteriological examinations and fluorescent antibody methods can be performed, using nasopharyngeal swab secretions smear or nasal mucosa impression smear fluorescent antibody staining to detect specific antigens, with an early positive rate of 75%-85%. Complement fixation tests in serology can also be conducted to detect specific antibodies, effectively aiding in the diagnosis of atypical cases.

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Written by Yan Xin Liang
Pediatrics
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Pertussis prone age group

Pertussis, also known as whooping cough, is an acute respiratory infectious disease caused by Bordetella pertussis. The main age group affected by this disease are infants and young children, with the highest susceptibility seen in children under five years old, particularly infants younger than one year. The incidence of this disease has significantly decreased due to the widespread implementation of pertussis vaccination. Clinically, the disease is characterized by a cough that gradually worsens, presenting as typical paroxysmal, frequent coughing, and frothy sputum, with a crowing echo in the cough. The course of the disease can last up to three months.

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Written by Li Jian Wu
Pulmonology
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What causes whooping cough?

Pertussis, also known as whooping cough, is a respiratory infectious disease primarily caused by the Bordetella pertussis or Corynebacterium diphtheriae bacteria. It is contagious and has a prolonged course, often leading to paroxysmal spasmodic coughing. It is commonly seen in infants and spreads through airborne droplets and close contact. The disease is generally prevented through vaccination. It has been included in the national free vaccination program, with babies receiving injections at three, four, and five months of age as part of their basic immunization, followed by a booster shot after the age of two. Once antibodies are produced, they can effectively prevent the disease.

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Written by Li Jian Wu
Pulmonology
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Pertussis is diagnosed through what?

Whooping cough is a respiratory infectious disease, generally diagnosed through typical clinical symptoms and laboratory test results. Typical symptoms include paroxysmal, spasmodic coughing, which can also lead to flushed face and ears, runny nose, acute sickly appearance, while some patients may have a cough that sounds like a puppy's bark and others may exhibit a crowing sound during inhalation. During this period, sputum pathogen culture or other auxiliary examinations can be used for diagnosis, and sensitive antimicrobial drugs can be chosen for anti-inflammatory treatment.

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Written by Zeng Hai Jiang
Pediatrics
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Will there be shadows in the lungs after recovery from whooping cough?

Whooping cough is an acute respiratory infectious disease caused by Bordetella pertussis infection, commonly seen in children, with children under five years old being the most susceptible. The main clinical symptoms include paroxysmal spasmodic coughing and a crowing, inspiratory whoop, with the cough being more pronounced at night. The symptoms of whooping cough are severe, but the physical signs are mild. During lung auscultation, no dry or moist rales can generally be heard, and imaging examinations are also normal. However, whooping cough may be complicated by bronchopneumonia, bronchiectasis, and other complications, in which case lung X-rays may show shadows, but these shadows will disappear after recovery from the treatment.