Whooping Cough Treatment

Whooping cough was considered a deadly disease at the start of the 19th century, at which time, the illness would claim between 5,000 to 10,000 lives every year in the United States. However, since its treatment was developed in the form of a vaccine, the annual number of deaths have reduced to less than 30. Still, recent years have seen an increase in the cases of whooping cough, primarily among young children.

In the initial stages, it is easy for a person suffering from this condition to mistake it for an ordinary cold. However, as the illness progresses, the patient develops a severe, hacking cough, followed by a sharp inspiration of breath that sounds like a 'whoop'. It is especially dangerous in infants younger than 6 months of age.

The cause of whooping cough is a bacterium named Bordetella pertussis. It is passed on through droplets that an infected person coughs or sneezes into the air. Once the bacteria find their way into the airways, they multiply and produce toxins that result in the accumulation of thick mucus. The breathing tubes also become inflamed and narrow, which leaves a person gasping for breath.

Symptoms appear anytime between 3 to 12 days after contracting the bacterium. Initial symptoms, similar to a common cold, are sneezing, runny nose, red watery eyes, nasal congestion, mild fever, chronic dry cough, loss of appetite, and overall unwell feeling. This progresses to severe coughing attacks and the expulsion of thick phlegm. A violent coughing attack may cause some people to vomit or turn blue in the face from being out of breath.

Upon early diagnosis, treatment for adults, teenagers, and older children usually comprises antibiotic medication such as azithromycin or erythromycin, along with bed rest. The antibiotics reduce the duration of the illness, but do not provide a cure.

In reducing the duration of the illness, they also limit the period of contagiousness. The antibiotic treatment will depend on the patient's response, and may be given for a longer period of time (more than two weeks) if the response is slow.

For patients suffering from the severe coughing spells, antibiotics may be used, but they lack effectiveness. On an average, whooping cough usually lasts for six weeks, but may also last longer. However, little can be done to relieve the symptoms, as over-the-counter cough medicines have hardly any effect.

The treatment for babies younger than 3 months involves hospitalization to decrease the chances of them developing serious complications. Often, older babies are also admitted to the hospital. Infants are usually treated in isolation to prevent the transmission of the illness to others.

In the hospital, an infant will (most likely) be given intravenous antibiotics to treat the infection. In addition to these, corticosteroid drugs may also be given to reduce airway inflammation. In cases where an infant's breathing is labored, his/her airway may be suctioned to extract mucus that is blocking it.

An infant who struggles to consume liquids or food may be given intravenous fluids. At times, sedatives are prescribed to help the child rest. There could be constant monitoring of the child's breathing, so that extra oxygen may be provided when required. Most infants who receive treatment recover without any lasting effects.

As medication does not cure but only reduces the duration of the illness, it is best to try some natural remedies too, that can help lessen the patient's discomfort. Sufficient rest, consuming a lot of fluids, vaporizing the room, and eating small meals are some measures that are said to help.

Disclaimer: This story is for informative purposes only, and should not be replaced for the advice of a medical professional.