Respiratory Problems
Whooping cough is also known as Pertussis and is an infection caused by a bacteria that effects the respiratory system. This condition got its name from the sound that this cough makes. A person with this cough will make a “whooping” sound as they inhale a breath. Whooping cough symptoms being very similar to a common cold with a runny nose, sneezing, low grade fever and a cough that is mild. After a week or so the dry cough will turn into coughing spells. These spells can last for as long a minute which can turn the face red. When this spell of coughing finally stops, it is the forceful intake of air that makes the whoop sound. Between each spell, a child with this condition can feel just fine. It is possible for some kids to not “whoop” at all where others will. We are all different and so each person will have their own symptoms and severity of such.
This is a highly contagious condition as the bacteria can spread with each cough. Even when this person laughs or sneezes, they can spread the germs. It is during the early stages of this condition that these people are the most contagious but with antibiotics this contagious period can be shortened.
When kids are young, they get a series of vaccines and the Pertussis vaccine is part of the group the includes, diphtheria, tetanus and acellular pertussis. Children usually get five doses of this vaccines before they reach their sixth birthday and today it is recommended to get a booster shoot. This is done because the AAP feels that the immunity will fade. These booster shots should be given when kids are about eleven or twelve years of age. There are exceptions to this booster shot just like any immunization schedule so ask your doctor more about it. If you feel that your child has whooping cough symptoms, be sure to see the doctor as soon as possible. The doctor will give the child a thorough exam and take throat and nose mucus samples. These samples will go to the lab to be examined and cultured for the bacteria called B. pertussis bacteria. It is possible that your doctor will also want to do a chest x-ray and a blood test. Treatment with antibiotics will usually run for two weeks. The experts feel that treatment before the coughing begins will shorten the infection duration.
