Whooping cough, also known as long cough, is an infectious disease that is caused by a bacterium that, when entering the respiratory tract, lodges in the lung and initially causes flu-like symptoms, such as low fever, runny nose and cough dry, for example.
The symptoms of pertussis vary from person to person and according to age, with adults usually being asymptomatic whereas for children this disease can be fatal if it is not identified and treated quickly. Learn more about whooping cough.
Treatment is usually done with antibiotics that should be taken according to medical advice. In addition, there are some natural options for treating pertussis, such as green anise and golden rod. See what are the 5 natural options for pertussis.
Whooping cough symptoms
The symptoms of pertussis appear gradually, featuring in three stages:
1. Catarral internship
The catarrhal stage is characterized by the following symptoms:
- Low fever; Runny nose; Dry and persistent cough; Sneezing; Lack of appetite; Watery eyes; Blue lips and nails during coughing spells; General malpractice.
The symptoms of this stage are mild, usually lasting about 1 to 2 weeks and can be mistaken for the flu or cold.
2. Paroxysmal or acute stage
The paroxysmal stage is characterized by:
- Shortness of breath; Vomiting; Difficulty eating; Crashes of sudden and rapid cough in which the person finds it difficult to breathe and which usually end in a deep breath generating a high-pitched sound like a squeak.
Symptoms of the paroxysmal stage often last 1 to 2 weeks.
3. Convalescence or severe stage
In the convalescence stage, the symptoms begin to disappear and the cough returns to normal, however, it is at this stage that complications can arise, such as respiratory arrest, pneumonia and bleeding in the mucous membranes, for example, if not treated.
Symptoms of pertussis at baby
Symptoms of pertussis in a baby include sneezing, runny nose, cough and sometimes fever for about two weeks. After this time, the cough, which lasts about 20 to 30 seconds, is accompanied by a loud noise and the baby may have difficulty breathing between coughing episodes.
Coughing spells are more common at night, and the baby's lips and nails may turn blue due to lack of oxygen. In addition to these symptoms of childhood pertussis, vomiting can also occur, especially after a coughing fit. Learn more about pertussis in babies.
Possible complications
Complications of pertussis are rare, but they can arise when the person has a severe coughing crisis, is not treated or does not follow the treatment correctly, which may be:
- Difficulty breathing, which may result in respiratory arrest; Pneumonia; Hemorrhage in the eyes, mucous membranes, skin or brain; Ulcer formation under the tongue, due to friction between the tongue and teeth during episodes of coughing; Rectal prolapse; Umbilical and abdominal hernia; Otitis, which corresponds to inflammation in the ears; Dehydration.
In the case of pertussis in babies, there may be seizures that can lead to brain impairment.
To avoid these complications, it is recommended that all children and adults take the 5 doses of the tetanus, diphtheria and pertussis vaccine and receive the appropriate treatment when they are diagnosed with this infection. Learn more about the vaccine against tetanus, diphtheria and whooping cough.
