Is coughing possible with whooping cough in adults and children?

What kind of disease is this and in what forms can it manifest itself?

This is a contagious infectious disease that lasts for a long period of time. The causative agent of the disease is the bacterium Bordetella pertussis. Cough with whooping cough in children and adults is the main symptom that interferes with leading a normal lifestyle. Transmission of the disease occurs by airborne droplets. Healthy people become infected from sick people. The average duration of the pathology is 6 weeks.

There are two forms of pathology:

1. Abortive - symptoms develop sharply. Cough attacks without spasms are accompanied by a constant sore throat.
2. Atypical - coughing attacks are rare, the temperature is low.

It is important to understand that without proper treatment, the disease can cause serious complications.

Low body temperature

Whooping cough: treatment in children

Both children and adults can become infected with whooping cough. However, in very young children, whooping cough is usually very severe. Therefore, newborns and children under 2 years of age are hospitalized even with a mild form of whooping cough.

For whooping cough, very young children are hospitalized and treated under the supervision of doctors

Older children, as well as adolescents and adults, are allowed to be treated at home.

Stages of the disease

There are three stages of the disease. Depending on which of them is occurring at the moment, the symptoms change.

First stage

At this stage, the symptoms are the same as for other diseases of the respiratory system. People who do not have immunity to this infection become infected during this period. The duration of the stage is 2 weeks. Doctors more often diagnose acute respiratory infections, however, the prescribed drugs do not give the desired result.

Second stage

During this period of disease development, the main symptoms appear. If the patient has not been vaccinated, signs of pathology can be observed within 3 months. Breathing becomes difficult, heart function is disrupted.

At this stage, the pathology is divided into three forms according to severity:

1. Mild - the average number of cough attacks per day is 15. The attacks are short-lived, no deterioration in well-being is observed.
2. Average - the number of coughing attacks increases up to 25 times per day. Over time, they can drag on, and the state of health deteriorates greatly.
3. Severe - the patient’s condition deteriorates very quickly, the number of coughing attacks per day is 40. Coughing may be accompanied by vomiting and cause loss of consciousness.

To distinguish a cough during whooping cough at this stage from a normal one, you need to pay attention to the exhalations. They are accompanied by coughing tremors. Inhalations are accompanied by whistling.

Loss of consciousness

Third stage

At the last stage, the patient's recovery begins. The average duration is 7 days. The symptoms slowly subside, and the attacks become fewer.

Symptoms

The disease is characterized by the following symptoms:

• cough;
• runny nose;
• temperature increase;
• fatigue;
• muscle pain;
• headache.

In some cases, most often in infants, the disease occurs without a cough. But still, the main symptom of whooping cough is coughing.

Stages of cough

In the development of cough, 3 stages are noted: catarrhal, paroxysmal and recovery.

Catarrhal

The average duration of the catarrhal (prodromal, initial) stage is 3 weeks. At this time, the patient infects others. The initial stage is characterized by the appearance of a runny nose, a slight increase in temperature, and a dry cough, which is more like a regular cold.

All these signs strongly resemble common ARVI, pharyngitis or bronchitis. The symptoms, however, do not subside, but, on the contrary, increase by the end of the second week, especially at night. Clearly defined attacks appear, which will mark the transition to the next, paroxysmal stage.

Paroxysmal

A new stage in the development of the disease lasts a long time, up to 3 months. During this stage, the cough becomes paroxysmal, forms a certain cycle, and it is this feature that allows the disease to be accurately diagnosed. The patient poses the greatest risk of infecting others.

The attack begins with a sharp, gut-wrenching, unbearable cough. Without a break, up to 12 cough impulses may appear. Finally, the patient manages to take a breath, but air enters the respiratory tract through the narrowed glottis and produces a whistle. A sigh with a whistle is called a reprise. After a short break, the cough comes on with renewed vigor, and the full cycle is repeated.

In one attack, 3-6 spasmodic cycles with reprises can occur. When coughing, the tongue protrudes completely from the mouth, which can result in injury to the frenulum on the teeth. During an attack of a coughing attack, breathing sometimes stops. This condition is especially dangerous for young children.

The end of the attack may be accompanied by vomiting and the release of mucus. In young children, phlegm may come out through the nose in the form of bubbles. The patient's face becomes puffy, the skin becomes bluish. Hemorrhages appear in the eyes. After an attack, the child cannot restore breathing and calm down for a long time.

The severity of the disease depends on the frequency of attacks and their duration. In mild cases, attacks occur up to 15 times a day. Each attack contains up to 5 pushes. The attacks are not accompanied by vomiting. The average degree is characterized by 20-25 attacks, each of which produces up to 10 spasms. At the end of the attack, vomiting appears. In severe cases, 50 attacks per day are possible. They are long-lasting, accompanied by breathing problems, and sometimes by convulsions.

Recovery

By the end of the paroxysmal stage, the nature of the attacks becomes less intense, the number of spasms and their duration decreases. Recovery is coming. During this period, sleep disturbances disappear, appetite improves, and strength is restored. A cough may appear periodically, but it is of a reflex nature and occurs due to overexcitation of the cells of the cough center.

Read: Symptoms of whooping cough in children can easily be confused with a common ARVI

Gradually, the cough after whooping cough goes away on its own, which can take up to six months.

Reasons for the development of pathology

The main cause of the disease is infection with the bacterium Bordetella pertussis, which actively spreads through the air in the spring and autumn. More often it affects children's bodies, whose immune system is just developing. Adults who have not been vaccinated are at risk.

It is important to distinguish whooping cough from a cold symptom in time and begin treatment. In the first stages, this is extremely difficult to do, because the cough manifests itself with rare urges. It is important to pay attention to two points:

1. The duration of coughing is 14 days.
2. Lack of effect from anti-cold medications.

The appearance of prolonged coughing attacks should immediately alert the patient.

The first signs of whooping cough

The first signs of whooping cough are similar to a cold:

• runny nose;
• sore throat;
• increase in body temperature.

The difference between this infectious disease is that the temperature does not rise above 38 degrees. More often it is 37.4-37.7. If, with such symptoms, the temperature exceeds 38 degrees, we can safely say that it is not whooping cough.

What does thick snot in a child indicate and how to treat it?

The incubation period lasts from two days to two weeks. After a maximum of two weeks, the signs of the disease subside and the cough remains - this is the beginning of the catarrhal period. Their intensity increases each time. After another 10 days, the cough turns into a paroxysmal, “barking” cough.

This period is difficult for children, as they suffocate and are unable to breathe fully, and become capricious. An intense cough may lead to vomiting. The period between attacks does not cause any inconvenience, and the child feels normal.

The spasmodic period is characterized by an uncontrollable, uncontrollable cough. The attack is accompanied by a series of coughing shocks, between which a reprise occurs - a deep breath with a whistle. The series can be from 2 to 15. The end is accompanied by the release of sputum and vomiting. There can be from 5 to 50 such attacks per day, depending on the severity.

Main symptoms

There are many unpleasant, painful symptoms that will help determine the presence of the disease. The main manifestations include:

• weakness, muscle pain;
• high body temperature;
• swollen lymph nodes, sore throat;
• sleep disturbance, loss of appetite;
• runny nose, prolonged coughing attacks, vomiting.

The patient's health quickly deteriorates.

Runny nose

What kind of cough occurs with whooping cough?

With whooping cough in adults and children, cough manifests itself in different ways. The upper respiratory tract and cough receptors are irritated by exposure to pathogenic bacteria. Main characteristics:

• paroxysmal;
• hysterical;
• spasmodic;
• dry, spastic.

Wet coughs occur less frequently.

How long does the symptom last?

Whooping cough stands out among other symptoms due to its duration. How long the disease lasts depends on the development of bacteria in the body and decreased immunity. The average duration of an unpleasant symptom is up to 8 weeks.

How to distinguish whooping cough from cold coughs?

The characteristics of cough with whooping cough are paroxysmal and dry. It differs from a cold in that over time it only becomes stronger and more painful. Inhalations are accompanied by whistling, exhalations - wheezing, coughing. When coughing, they overexert themselves and the capillaries burst. Because of this, red spots remain.

How dangerous is a cough with whooping cough?

The danger of an unpleasant symptom with this infection is that without appropriate treatment, serious complications can occur. In children it can be fatal.

Coughing after illness

After complex treatment, a residual cough may be observed. This is a normal reaction after suffering from whooping cough. To avoid additional complications, it is necessary to restore immune defense. Otherwise, coughing may become asthmatic or allergic.

Coughing after vaccination

Sometimes situations occur when coughing begins after whooping cough vaccination. If the unpleasant symptom disappears after 1–2 days, there is no reason to consult a doctor. If the symptom continues to torment the child after this period, the help of a specialist is needed. The doctor will conduct a diagnosis and prescribe comprehensive treatment.

Whooping cough vaccination

Treatment of whooping cough: where to start?

At the first sign of cough, especially if the child has been in contact with a whooping cough patient, you should contact your pediatrician. Self-medication of any disease is not acceptable, even if there are still good medications that helped last time (their instructions “promise” to cure any cough). It is better not to save money, but to go to a specialist and buy the prescribed medication, even if its price seems too high to you.

Today, this infectious pathology is usually treated on an outpatient basis, but children under one year of age are offered hospitalization.

Table 1: Treatment of whooping cough:

Sometimes a child develops nosebleeds as a result of coughing. In this case, parents need to give the baby a semi-sitting position with his head down so that blood does not enter the throat or respiratory tract.

An ice pack should be placed on the bridge of the nose, and cotton wool soaked in hydrogen peroxide should be placed in the nasal passages.

Treatment

Treatment of cough with whooping cough should be comprehensive in order to quickly alleviate the patient’s condition. Therapy should include:

• adherence to diet and regimen;
• frequent exposure to fresh air;
• taking prescribed medications;
• compliance with preventive measures to prevent the development of complications.

The most important thing for the patient is to remain in bed. To prevent the patient from breathing harmful microorganisms, it is necessary to regularly ventilate the room.

Walks in the open air

Drug therapy

Complex treatment begins with taking medications. They are prescribed by the attending physician after diagnosis. Popular medicines for whooping cough:

1. Antibiotics - Azithromycin, Erythromycin, Macropen.
2. Antihistamines - Tavegil, Diphenhydramine, Suprastin.
3. Calcium-containing preparations.

Antitussive syrups and tablets are prescribed only on the recommendations of the attending physician.

Folk remedies

To increase the effectiveness of treatment, you can use folk remedies. Popular recipes:

1. Decoction based on elderberry flowers. Gradually the cough will become moist and the condition will improve.
2. Honey with radish pulp. Use after the onset of coughing attacks. The mucous membrane of the throat softens, wheezing disappears.
3. Emulsion made from apricot kernels.

Before starting to use folk remedies, it is necessary to coordinate treatment with your doctor.

Physiotherapy

Additionally, the attending physician may prescribe breathing exercises and therapeutic massage. The procedures are performed under the supervision of specialists.

How to relieve cough with whooping cough?

Night periods of coughing attacks interfere with sleep and exhaust the patient. It is extremely difficult to calm a child, for whom it is much more difficult to endure an attack of coughing than for an adult. To improve the condition, doctors recommend:

1. Cool and humidify the air in the room.
2. Distract the child's attention to something else - a toy, a cartoon.
3. Avoid warming procedures.

If you follow the suggested tips, you will be able to minimize the number of coughing attacks.

Humidifying the air in the house

Features of treatment

Destroying the whooping cough bacillus is not difficult. The basis of treatment is antibacterial therapy. Erythromycin is often prescribed for whooping cough. The drug has high safety indicators and is available due to its low cost.

The drug does not affect the functioning of the liver and intestines, so it is prescribed in pediatric practice. The course of treatment usually lasts three to four days. The causative agent of whooping cough does not develop resistance to antibacterial agents.

Much depends on at what stage of pathological treatment treatment began. If an antibiotic is started to be used during the catarrhal phase, then it can be used to stop the progression of the disease. If a spasmodic period has begun, then the medicine rarely gives positive results.

Therefore, it is extremely important to listen to your body and respond to changes that arise. After ten days from the onset of the disease, there is no point in starting antibiotic therapy, since the pathogenic microflora already begins to lose in number and becomes less active.

It is worth understanding that antibiotics are needed so that the patient does not continue to infect others, but the cough itself will continue for some time

Under no circumstances should you independently change the dosage and frequency of use of prescribed medications. It is important to exclude physical and emotional stress. Even active chewing and swallowing movements can provoke the activation of a new attack.

This may cause the child to become afraid of meals. Therefore, children should be fed in small portions. In addition, you should monitor your diet. It is important to exclude spicy, salty and spicy foods. It is better to eat food in puree form.

The treatment process includes the use of the following drugs:

• bronchodilators - expand the lumen of the bronchi and prevent bronchospasm;
• mucolytics – thin mucus and promote its removal. More often for whooping cough they are used in the form of inhalations;
• antitussives - are prescribed quite rarely, since their effectiveness for whooping cough is minimal;
• sedatives and vasodilators - improve blood circulation and prevent the development of cerebral hypoxia.

In each specific case, assignments may differ. Depending on the tasks, patients may be prescribed:

• oxygen therapy. Usually prescribed to newborn children. Oxygen is supplied through a mask or tent;
• nootropic drugs improve metabolic processes in the brain;
• glucocorticosteroids combat short-term breath holding and convulsive coughing attacks.

Traditional medicine recipes help in treating whooping cough: chop five cloves of garlic and boil them in a glass of milk for five minutes. The product should be used every three hours for three days. Pour two tablespoons of chopped garlic with one hundred grams of melted butter. After the product hardens a little, it is rubbed into the soles, after which socks are put on top.

Mix vinegar, camphor and fir oils in equal proportions. Use the mixture in the form of a compress, which is applied to the chest. You can leave the compress on all night. Three tablespoons of dried sunflower seeds are poured with a tablespoon of honey and a glass of water. The product is put on fire and cooked until half of the broth has boiled away. The product must be filtered, after which it is taken throughout the day in small sips.

The whooping cough vaccine does not guarantee that the child will not get sick

As for prevention, the only way that can provide protection against whooping cough is vaccination. Three vaccinations are given at intervals of three months. If the body becomes infected, the patient should be isolated for thirty days.

Preventive measures

Even if the vaccine is given, the risk of developing pathology remains. Preventive measures will protect a person from possible whooping cough infection:

• avoiding contact with infected people;
• frequent ventilation of the room.

To increase immune protection, regular vaccinations are necessary.

Whooping cough is a dangerous but neglected infectious disease. Due to the fact that many people think that the vaccine is 100% effective, not all people pay attention to emerging symptoms in time. It is important not to forget about re-vaccination and avoiding contact with infected people.

Prevention of the disease:

• mandatory vaccination against whooping cough, which reduces the risk of getting sick by 10 times;
• exclude contact with carriers of the infection, in case of illness in a child care facility, declare quarantine for 25 days;
• The lack of innate immunity in people to this virus allows it to be developed. If a person does get sick, in the future he will no longer be susceptible to this illness;
• maintaining personal hygiene, constant wet cleaning and ventilation of premises.

A person’s health primarily depends on himself. If, starting from birth, you rely on modern medicine, follow the recommendations of specialists and take into account the bitter experience of people who have gone through all the unpleasant trials, you can live without illness.

Features of the course of the disease

The peculiarity of this disease is that toxins secreted by bacteria constantly irritate the respiratory system and, as a result, foci of excitation are formed in the central nervous system.

• In children

Whooping cough in infants and young children is very severe and can cause a lot of serious complications, including death. Children in the first year of life are more prone to such a tragic outcome of the disease. This is due to the fact that during the first year of a child’s life he receives vaccinations against possible diseases gradually and at certain times. And if a child gets sick without receiving any immunity, then the disease can be much more aggressive than in vaccinated children.

• In adults

As already mentioned, whooping cough can affect not only children, but also adults. The course of the disease in adults is very mild, and the symptoms are vague. In addition, a cough that occurs without fever does not attract attention. Only its prolonged course can cause concern.

The initial stage of the disease is distinguished by its long course and paucity of symptoms, which are mild and occur under the guise of a banal cold. Classic symptoms of whooping cough begin to appear only from the third week. However, a person is considered contagious from the first day the first symptoms appear and throughout the entire period of the disease.

The incubation period lasts about three weeks, but no more. During the onset of the disease, a person feels normal, and there are no symptoms indicating the onset of the disease.

Whooping cough is an infectious disease of the respiratory tract that most often affects children.