Whooping cough belongs to which type of infectious disease?

Written by Zeng Hai Jiang
Pediatrics
Updated on January 11, 2025
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Pertussis, also known as whooping cough, is an acute respiratory infectious disease caused by the infection of Bordetella pertussis. It is categorized as a Class B infectious disease according to national regulations. Bordetella pertussis has weak resistance to external environments and is generally not considered to spread through indirect contact. The primary mode of transmission is through respiratory droplets. Asymptomatic infected children are the main transmitters of the disease. Children under the age of five are the most susceptible. Babies typically receive their primary immunization at the ages of 3, 4, and 5 months, a booster immunization at 18-24 months, and another booster at the age of 6.

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Written by Li Jian Wu
Pulmonology
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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.

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Written by Li Jian Wu
Pulmonology
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Can whooping cough get better without treatment?

Can whooping cough recover without treatment? There is individual variation in clinical cases. If the patient has mild symptoms, it is possible for them to recover on their own without treatment. If the symptoms are more typical, timely anti-inflammatory treatment is necessary; otherwise, it may lead to other complications. If there are no complications and the immune system is normal, natural recovery may also be possible, but the duration of the illness will likely be longer. Treatment decisions should primarily consider the patient's resistance and general physique. From a health perspective, once diagnosed, it is necessary to promptly use macrolide antibiotics to eliminate the Bordetella pertussis bacteria.

doctor image
home-news-image
Written by Zeng Hai Jiang
Pediatrics
47sec home-news-image

Whooping cough belongs to which type of infectious disease?

Pertussis, also known as whooping cough, is an acute respiratory infectious disease caused by the infection of Bordetella pertussis. It is categorized as a Class B infectious disease according to national regulations. Bordetella pertussis has weak resistance to external environments and is generally not considered to spread through indirect contact. The primary mode of transmission is through respiratory droplets. Asymptomatic infected children are the main transmitters of the disease. Children under the age of five are the most susceptible. Babies typically receive their primary immunization at the ages of 3, 4, and 5 months, a booster immunization at 18-24 months, and another booster at the age of 6.

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

Can whooping cough be treated with Chinese medicine?

Whooping cough is an acute respiratory infectious disease caused by Bordetella pertussis or Corynebacterium diphtheriae. Traditional Chinese medicine treatment is also an option. There are many commonly used traditional Chinese medicine formulas, such as Pediatric Whooping Cough Powder, Qingfei Zhike San, Feier Wan, Huachong Wan, Bai Ji Granules, Zuo Jin Wan, etc., which all have certain effects and efficacy in treating whooping cough. Traditional Chinese Medicine believes that whooping cough is caused by pathogenic factors attacking the lung defense, reduced function of the lung's descending and clearing action, and cough symptoms due to qi moving in the wrong direction.

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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.