Pertussis, commonly referred to as whooping cough, is a potentially serious condition that can affect people of all ages, but is more commonly seen in infants under the age of 6 months, and children and teens between the ages of 10 and 19. While the presence of the pertussis vaccine has reduced the yearly diagnosis of the condition, as many as 13,000 cases per year are still reported in the United States, according to statistics provided by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. With the disease still active, it's important to understand both the symptoms and treatment options for the disease.
Symptoms
Pertussis has several symptoms associated with the condition, some unique and others similar to common childhood issues like the cold. With whooping cough, symptoms typically appear three to 12 days after exposure, according to MayoClinic.com, and may include sneezing, stuffy nose, runny nose, a dry cough and a mild fever. After a week or two these symptoms increase in severity to coughing that leads to vomiting, blue or red face, or that produces thick phlegm. The most noticeable sign of pertussis is the unique sound that can occur at the end of a cough, consisting of a "whooping" sound, which denotes why the condition is often referred to as whooping cough.
Home Treatments
Treatments are limited when it comes to pertussis. One treatment that can help reduce the severity of the condition is the use of mist vaporizer in your child's room. This can help hydrate the lungs and relieve the irritation. An air purifier can also be helpful by removing potential irritants that can set off a coughing spell. Water and rest are also essential for helping increase the body's ability to fight off the infection. Over-the-counter cough suppressants and expectorants are not helpful with pertussis and should not be used for treatment on those with the condition, according to the National Institutes of Health's Medline Plus.
Prescription Treatments
Although treatment is limited, an antibiotic like erythromycin may be prescribed by your doctor to help reduce the severity and length of pertussis. However, if the condition is caught too late, antibiotics may not have much effect. In severe cases where coughing interrupts your toddler's ability to drink, intravenous fluids may be hooked up to keep your child from dehydration. Sedatives may also be prescribed to younger children to help them sleep.
Vaccines
There are ways to prevent pertussis through the use of the pertussis vaccination, which is typically given as a series with vaccinations for tetanus and diphtheria. This series is given over five separate vaccinations starting at the age of 2 months, and ending at the age of 4 to 6 years old. Adults can also get a pertussis booster to help prevent passing the condition onto children who are not vaccinated.
