How to recognize symptoms of whooping cough

Whooping cough, which may also be known as pertussis, is a highly contagious disease that affects the respiratory system. Whooping cough is most common in infants and young children, so knowing the most common symptoms is essential for prompt diagnosis and treatment. This disease can easily be spread through coughing or sneezing, although people who spread the disease are often unaware they have it. This article can help you to recognize the primary signs and symptoms of whooping cough.

• Whooping cough is actually a progressive disease, so the signs and symptoms change throughout the disease progression.
• The earliest symptoms last from one to two weeks.
• They include typical signs of a mild fever, including a runny nose, a low-grade fever, a mild cough and, occasionally, apnoea.

• The second stage of the disease is known as the paroxysmal stage.
• Typically lasting from one to six weeks, symptoms during this stage are much more noticeable.
• Children and infants are most commonly diagnosed during this stage.
• During this stage, children have fits of rapid coughs that are followed by a "whoop" sound.
• The coughing is so violent that children may even throw up and be exhausted between coughs.

• During the final stage of the disease, symptoms may vary, depending on the severity of each case.
• However, this stage tends to last two weeks.
• During this time, children are more susceptible to other respiratory infections and should be careful to practice proper hygiene to avoid contracting other illnesses.
• Expect to see a gradual recovery during the final stage. Coughing will lessen, but fits of coughing still occur.

• If your child has already contracted the disease, seeking medical treatment is recommended. A course of antibiotics will help to lessen the severity of the disease and can speed up recovery. While whooping cough usually has to run its course, antibiotic treatment provides these benefits.
• Today, there is a vaccine for whooping cough that is very effective. Since no vaccine is ever completely effective, there is a chance that a fully vaccinated person could catch this disease. However, if you and your children have been vaccinated, then there is a much lower chance of you contracting the disease. In any case, avoid anyone who has a known case of whooping cough for the best results.
• If you are concerned about this condition, then vaccination is the best option. However, if vaccination is not a possibility, then recognizing the most common signs and stages of whooping cough are the next best step. Early recognition and prompt treatment are the best ways to decrease the signs and symptoms, as well as prevent infecting others with this disease.