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Whooping cough
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.
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.
Pertussis and measles transmission pathways
Pertussis and measles are two types of diseases, both of which are respiratory infectious diseases. Pertussis is caused by Corynebacterium diphtheriae or Bordetella pertussis, while measles is an acute, infectious disease caused by the measles virus. Transmission mainly occurs through close contact with infected individuals and via airborne droplets, and it is commonly seen in infants and young children under the age of five. Prevention of these diseases is primarily through vaccination, and once the disease occurs, it is important to promptly treat the infection with anti-inflammatory or antiviral treatments, while also managing the symptoms accordingly.
Is whooping cough without the crowing sound getting better?
Pertussis without a crowing sound indicates recovery. Pertussis, also known as whooping cough, is an acute respiratory infection caused by Bordetella pertussis, commonly seen in children. The progression of pertussis can be divided into three stages: The first stage is the catarrhal stage, also known as the pre-paroxysmal stage. At the early stage, the child shows symptoms similar to the common cold, followed by worsening cough. If the condition is not effectively controlled during this stage, It then progresses to the second stage, the paroxysmal stage. During the paroxysmal stage, the child exhibits characteristic episodic spasmodic coughing and crowing inhalation sounds. This period can last up to two months. Finally, it moves into the recovery stage. In the recovery stage, the frequency and severity of the episodic spasmodic cough and crowing inhalation sounds gradually alleviate. Thus, the absence of a crowing sound in whooping cough is an indication of approaching recovery.
Does whooping cough cause a runny nose?
In the early stages of whooping cough, also known as the incubation period, symptoms similar to those of a cold can occur, including runny nose, sneezing, mild fever, and an irritating dry cough. If the disease progresses for two to four weeks, it typically presents with episodes of spasmodic, convulsive coughing, characterized by a notable change in the sound of the cough. Some children might exhibit a bark-like cough or a crowing-like cough. Accompanying symptoms can include redness of the face and ears, tearing, more runny nose, as well as signs of oxygen deprivation such as nausea, vomiting, and cyanosis of the lips. It is advisable to further conduct pathogen culture to confirm the diagnosis and initiate timely treatment.
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.
Is nebulization useful for pertussis?
Nebulized inhalation for localized treatment of pertussis can be quite effective. It helps alleviate bronchial smooth muscle spasms and is used for spasmodic coughs, effectively easing cough symptoms as a symptomatic treatment measure. However, it is also necessary to target the infectious pathogens with oral or intravenous macrolide antibiotics for anti-inflammatory treatment. Drinking plenty of water, maintaining suitable indoor temperature and humidity, and having confidence in overcoming the disease are important. Although the course of the disease may be long, complete recovery is possible through proper treatment, so there is no need for excessive worry.
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.
The difference between pertussis and allergic cough
Pertussis (whooping cough) and allergic cough are different. Firstly, pertussis is an acute respiratory infectious disease caused by Bordetella pertussis. Its symptoms include paroxysmal and frequent coughing, sometimes accompanied by a deep, crowing, inspiratory whoop sound. If not treated promptly, the condition can last for several months, which is why it is called whooping cough. Due to its high contagiosity and epidemic history, if infants contract pertussis, their condition can worsen, making them prone to complications like severe pneumonia or heart failure. However, allergic cough is a non-infectious condition primarily caused by hypersensitivity of the airways, easily triggered by various external allergens, leading to irritating dry coughs, but not worsening to lower respiratory tract infections. In daily life, by avoiding environmental allergens and using treatments such as nebulization and oral antiallergic medications, management is possible.
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.