How long does it usually take for the blood picture of pertussis to come down when it's too high?

Written by Zeng Hai Jiang
Pediatrics
Updated on January 12, 2025
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Whooping cough is an acute respiratory infectious disease caused by Bordetella pertussis infection, commonly seen in children. The main clinical symptoms include typical paroxysmal spasmodic cough, crowing inspiratory whoop, with the cough being more prominent at night. In the peripheral blood, there will be a marked increase in white blood cell count, lymphocyte count, and lymphocyte classification. After a confirmed diagnosis of whooping cough, macrolide antibiotics are administered. After a week of aggressive treatment, the blood count typically decreases significantly.

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Written by Yan Xin Liang
Pediatrics
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Symptoms and Treatment of Whooping Cough in Children

The common symptoms of whooping cough are coughing, prolonged coughing, and spasmodic coughing, which ends with a crowing sound, and it mainly occurs during the night. The face may turn bright red during coughing, which is a typical symptom of whooping cough. For treatment, in the early stages of whooping cough, erythromycin is definitely used and can be effective. However, in pediatrics, if the whooping cough has lasted for a long time, the effectiveness of the treatment is relatively not as good. If the coughing period is long and medication is used in the middle to late stages, even with some treatment, it might still continue for two to three months. Although treatments like cough suppressants and expectorants can alleviate the symptoms, a cough usually still persists to some degree.

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Written by Li Jian Wu
Pulmonology
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Whooping cough is transmitted through respiratory droplets.

Pertussis is mainly transmitted through airborne droplets and is a commonly seen respiratory infectious disease in clinical settings. If a child is at school and classmates have pertussis without antibodies in their body, it is quite possible for the infection to occur, commonly seen in babies under five years old. If there are episodes of spasmodic, convulsive coughing accompanied by a barking sound or a crowing sound during inhalation, this disease should be highly suspected, and prompt culturing of the pathogen is needed for confirmation.

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Written by Li Jian Wu
Pulmonology
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Does whooping cough require hospitalization for treatment?

This particular disease cannot be certain whether hospitalization is needed; it depends on the severity of the disease, the patient's constitution, the duration of the illness, and the body's sensitivity to the pathogens. If it is just mild paroxysmal spasmodic coughing without persistent high fever, breathing difficulty, or hypoxia, hospitalization is generally not necessary. Treatment can be managed at home with oral medication or nebulized inhalation for symptomatic treatment. The main principle is to eradicate the Bordetella pertussis bacteria.

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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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The "hundred days" in whooping cough refers to what?

The whooping cough we refer to clinically is a type of respiratory infectious disease. The term "hundred days" relates to the duration of the disease, which is relatively long, sometimes approaching one hundred days, hence the name whooping cough. However, it does not necessarily mean that one will cough or be infected for such a long duration. The specific circumstances should be determined according to the number of infecting pathogens and the body's immune response. If the immune system is normal and the infection is minor, some patients can recover without medication. Once a severe infection is diagnosed, it is crucial to promptly use sensitive antibiotics and engage in timely anti-inflammatory and symptomatic treatment.