Introduction
Whooping cough is a bacterial infection of the lungs and breathing tubes.
It is highly contagious and can be serious.
The cough can last weeks or months.
Symptoms – 3 Phases
Catarrhal (Mucous) Phase – Similar to a cold
- 1-2weeks
- Initial dry cough
- Catarrh (phlegm) – similar to upper respiratory tract infection
- Runny nose
- Sore throat
Paroxysmal Phase
- ~1month
- Paroxysm = rapid and intense bout of cough to expel mucus from chest
- The bouts usually lasts a few minutes
- Whooping – heard when breathing in after coughing. Not everyone does this.
- Vomiting may occur after coughing, especially when bringing up thick mucus
- Generalised symptoms
- Cough tends to be worse at night
- Change in colour
- Young infants – blue or grey
- Red – some adults
Convalescent Phase
- ~2months +
- Slow improvement over time
Symptomatic Treatment
- Ibuprofen
- Paracetamol
Advice to help whooping cough:
- Hydrated
- Avoid citrus (may worsen pain)
- (Suspected/confirmed) Isolate for:
- 5d after starting antibiotics
- 21d after cough starts
- Whichever first
Seek an urgent doctors appointment if:
- Close contact with a whooping cough patient and pregnant
- Have a very bad cough that is getting worse
- Symptoms of whooping cough with a baby under 6 months
Go to the hospital or call ambulance if:
- Skin colour change to blue or grey – (may be easier to see on palms of hands and soles of feet on darker skinned people)
- Difficulty breathing – especially shallow breathing
- Chest pain especially when breathing or coughing – sign of pneumonia
- Seizures (fits)
Complications of whooping cough can be potentially serious and include:
- Pneumonia – bacterial infection of the lungs leading to inflammation and fluid build up
- Seizures
- Dehydration
- Breathing difficulties
Young children are most vulnerable to complications.
VACCINATIONS:
- Whooping cough vaccine
- Who benefits the most:
- Young children and babies
- Pregnant women
- Those with long-term co-morbidities such as thyroid disorder, liver and kidney problems, or history of asthma or other breathing difficulties.
SOURCES:
Shobz Pharmacy 