Whooping cough is a respiratory infection highly contagious caused by bacteria Bordetella pertussis. Although often associated with childhood, this disease can affect people of any age. She is particularly dangerous for infants and vulnerable people. Here’s everything you need to know about whooping cough, its symptoms, prevention methods, and treatment.
Symptoms
Whooping cough usually begins with symptoms similar to a cold, including:
- Mild cough
- Mild fever
- However, after one to two weeks, the cough becomes more severe and turns into violent attacks, called coughing fitfollowed by a loud, scream-like inspiration (the “ cock crow“). These fits can cause vomiting and difficulty breathingespecially in infants.
At the adults and adolescentsthe symptoms may be less obvious, but the disease remains very contagious.
Transmission mode
Whooping cough is easily spread by saliva droplets when coughing or sneezing. The risk of contamination is high, especially in closed or poorly ventilated environment.
Prevention
The vaccination is the most effective way to prevent whooping cough. The whooping cough vaccine is often given in combination with other vaccines as part of the DTaP (diphtheria, tetanus and whooping cough) in children, and the Tdap for adolescents and adults. It is recommended that:
- Infants and children receive multiple doses of the DTaP vaccine according to the vaccination schedule.
- Teenagers and adultsespecially those in contact with infants, receive a booster dose of Tdap.
- Maintaining good vaccination coverage in the population helps reduce whooping cough epidemics.
Treatment
Treatment is based on the administration ofantibioticswhich can reduce the duration of the illness if caught early and limit its spread to others. For more severe cases, especially in infants, hospitalization may be necessary to monitor breathing and prevent complications.
Why protect yourself?
Whooping cough can cause complications gravesespecially in young children and unvaccinated people. These include pneumoniaconvulsions and, in rare cases, brain damage.
In conclusion
Whooping cough is a disease that should not be underestimated. By getting vaccinated, you can protect not only yourself, but also the most vulnerable people around you. If you or your child have symptoms that suggest whooping cough, it is important to see a doctor quickly.
