How bad is whooping cough?
How bad is whooping cough?
Whooping cough is a very serious respiratory (in the lungs and breathing tubes) infection. It is caused by Bordetella pertussis bacteria. It can cause violent coughing fits. Whooping cough is most harmful for young babies and can be deadly.
What are the early symptoms of whooping cough?
Early symptoms can last for 1 to 2 weeks and usually include: Runny nose. Low-grade fever (generally minimal throughout the course of the disease) Mild, occasional cough.
Can you get whooping cough if you have a cold?
This video is from the WebMD Video Archive. Whooping cough (also known as pertussis) is a bacterial infection that gets into your nose and throat. It spreads very easily, but vaccines like DTaP and Tdap can help prevent it in children and adults. At first, whooping cough has the same symptoms as the average cold:
How long does it take to get rid of Whoop cough?
They’re usually mild at first and resemble those of a common cold: After a week or two, signs and symptoms worsen. Thick mucus accumulates inside your airways, causing uncontrollable coughing. Severe and prolonged coughing attacks may: However, many people don’t develop the characteristic whoop.
Why does my child make a whoop sound when he coughs?
Children often make a “whoop” sound when they try to take a breath after coughing spells, though this classic sound is less common in infants. This type of severe cough can also cause: Adults and teenagers typically experience milder symptoms, such as a prolonged cough without the “whoop” sound.
How do people diagnose whooping cough?
Healthcare providers diagnose pertussis (whooping cough) by considering if you have been exposed to pertussis and by doing a: History of typical signs and symptoms Physical examination Laboratory test which involves taking a sample of mucus (with a swab or syringe filled with saline) from the back of the throat through the nose – see Figure 1 Blood test
How common is it to get whooping cough?
Since clinicians do not diagnose all cases, not every case is reported. In recent years between 10,000 and 40,000 cases are reported each year. Institutional outbreaks of whooping cough, such as those in a daycare center or school, are common, taking place each year in many states..
What is the most common injury from whooping cough?
Seizures. Brain damage. Because infants and toddlers are at greatest risk of complications from whooping cough, they’re more likely to need treatment in a hospital. Complications can be life-threatening for infants younger than 6 months old.
Does whooping cough start with sore throat?
When the patients first develop whooping cough, they will usually experience the symptoms of a regular cold. These include a slightly raised body temperature, a sore throat, watery and red eyes, and a runny nose.