What is Whooping Cough? Best Remedies For Whooping Cough

If you're concerned your baby might be  suffering from Whooping Cough , read on for more information about the symptoms, treatment, and recovery period. This respiratory infection causes coughing fits that can last up to 10 weeks and can be deadly if left untreated. Luckily, there are many natural remedies available, and if you're looking for one, these might be just what you're looking for. Symptoms, Treatment, and Recovery

Symptoms

If your child is exhibiting symptoms of whooping cough, you should visit a healthcare provider as soon as possible. The coughing fits that accompany this condition can be difficult for a baby to tolerate, and the child should be checked by a physician if the condition is severe or persists for more than a few days. The cough is similar to many other common childhood illnesses. Infants may experience a pause in breathing or vomiting, and some may have trouble breathing. Besides the coughing fit itself, your child may experience other complications such as dehydration, poor bladder control, and broken ribs.

Diagnosis is important to prevent the spread of this illness to others. While early stages of whooping cough may be mistaken for other respiratory illnesses, a doctor can accurately diagnose the condition by listening to the child's cough and asking questions. If you believe your child is experiencing the symptoms of whooping cough, a physician may order tests to confirm the diagnosis. These tests include a throat or nasal swab that will detect the bacteria that cause the disease. If the cough persists, your child may need to be admitted to the hospital for observation. If the infection spreads to others, he or she may need to be monitored while in the hospital.

Treatment

A child with whooping cough may be at risk for pneumonia, which can develop as a secondary infection. Infants may experience nosebleeds, blood in the eyes, skin bruises, rib fractures, and hernias. If a coughing fit lasts longer than 10 days, it could be a sign of a serious lung infection. Rarely, a child with severe whooping cough may even die. Fortunately, the good news is that treatment for whooping cough is relatively easy and safe.

Typically, a child with whooping cough will require at least five days of antibiotic treatment. A child may also need to be kept home until he or she has been fever-free for 21 days or has undergone a complete course of antibiotics. During this time, the child's symptoms will likely improve with rest and adequate fluid intake. If coughing is severe, the child should avoid consuming large meals and should try to eat small meals, which are easier to swallow. In addition, the child should rest enough to be able to cough and should ask their healthcare provider about the best position to breathe.

Prevention

The vaccine for whooping cough was introduced in 1991 and protects against the disease. The modern Tdap vaccine protects against whooping cough and also protects against diphtheria, tetanus and acellular pertussis. Most people don't have any side effects from the vaccine, but about 25 percent of children have redness where the shot is given and a short fever. The vaccine is given to infants in five shots.

If your child develops symptoms, contact a medical professional immediately. Infants may need hospitalization to monitor their condition and prevent complications. Excess mucus may need to be suctioned out and fluids may be given via drip. More than half of infants under six months are admitted to the hospital. Antibiotics are effective at reducing the duration of communicability and should be given at the onset of coughing.

Recovery period

A recovery period for whooping cough is normally four weeks. Treatment for the whooping cough may involve taking antibiotics that can be taken at home. However, these medications may not have any effect on the cough. Instead, the best course of treatment for a child with the disease is to rest, drink plenty of fluids, and avoid things that make them cough. A few simple home remedies for whooping cough can help a child recover more quickly.

The early symptoms of whooping cough are different in infants and adults. The baby may not cough at all or may have a pause in breathing and turn blue. It is important to seek medical attention if your baby is showing any of these symptoms. The cough will gradually lessen during the recovery period and may last for three months. Babies under the age of six months are especially susceptible to the disease. Symptoms of whooping cough can be severe and life-threatening. If your child's skin or lips turn blue, seek urgent medical care.

Diagnosis

In the early stages of whooping cough, the symptoms are often mild, but they may last for months. The cough is accompanied by mucus production and a high-pitched, "whooping" sound. At this stage, a child will cough up blood or mucus. A cough with blood may be dehydrated or accompanied by ear infection. Young children may also suffer from pneumonia. Severe coughing can cause involuntary urination or even fractured ribs. Diagnosis of whooping cough usually requires a physical exam, including a sample of the cough's mucus. Blood tests may also be necessary.

In cases of persistent cough, a doctor may perform a nasopharyngeal swab, which involves collecting mucus and sending it to the laboratory for further analysis. The doctor may administer antibiotics to relieve the symptoms of whooping cough and treat the condition, but this depends on the child's age, general health, and the severity of the symptoms. Children may need to be hospitalized for supportive care. Treatment of whooping cough will speed the recovery process and prevent the spread of the bacteria to other children.