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Popularly known as long-tailed pertussis, pertussis is a highly contagious respiratory disease, transmitted by the bacteria Bordetellapertussis. Inflammation occurs in the lungs and airways reaching the trachea, which causes a dry and persistent cough .
Despite being considered a serious disease, the rate of death associated with pertussis is low, but the few cases record mostly deaths of babies and children. For this reason, pregnant women and mothers of young children should be vaccinated and comply with their child’s vaccination schedule to protect themselves from this and other diseases with a higher incidence in childhood.
Epidemiology
Whooping cough was the main cause of death for children worldwide many decades ago . With the arrival of the vaccine in 1940 these numbers plummeted, becoming a controlled disease.
According to data released by WHO (World Health Organization), since 2010 the incidence rate of the disease has returned to greater proportions, mainly in Latin America. The causes are still unknown, but many factors are being evaluated to map the real reasons.
Whooping cough can affect people of all ages , but more severe damage occurs in children under two years old and the elderly, which can progress to more severe neurological, hemorrhagic and pulmonary complications.
Disease Transmission
The Bordetellapertussis bacterium is highly contagious. Just the infected person coughing to expel contaminated particles in the air to be inhaled by anyone else – this in a radius of up to 1, 5 meters away – can contract pertussis.
The transmission by the hands , as in most diseases of the respiratory tract, is one of the great villains, since the hands are brought to the mouth and nose frequently during coughing spells.
Nothing is more effective in reducing the risk of contamination than always washing your hands with soap and water , a very old tip, right, but undoubtedly super important to avoid this and so many other diseases.
Pertussis Symptoms
The first symptoms of pertussis appear after the incubation period of the disease, which lasts an average of 7 to 17 days. The first signs are very similar to the onset of a cold: runny nose, sporadic sneezing and moderate cough , characterizing the first stage of the disease, known as the catarrhal stage.
This condition can remain for two weeks and then start a more aggressive stage, the paroxysmal stage . This phase lasts about two weeks. It causes fits of sudden and sudden onset spasmodic coughs.
These episodes repeat at increasingly shorter intervals, causing a deep inhalation and great difficulty in breathing and a high-pitched sound , a kind of whistle, characteristic of whooping cough. At this time, due to the enormous effort and insufficient breathing, the face may turn bluish and vomiting may occur.
How Long Symptoms Last
In the convalescence stage, usually from the fourth week onwards, the symptoms disappear until the total improvement of the patient’s condition. This is the time to have a lot of patience and to be on alert, especially at night, when crises are more recurrent.
IMPORTANT: Any signs of dehydration, shortness of breath or more severe conditions seek a hospital immediately.
How Pertussis Diagnosis Is Done
Well, diagnosing pertussis is indeed complex, since the initial symptoms are very similar to those of other respiratory diseases . Therefore, the best way to know if a persistent coughing fit is pertussis, is to consult the doctor you trust.
How to identify if your cough is from whooping cough
The specialist often knows how to identify the disease only with clinical examination, observing the cough, which has very particular features of pertussis, different from a cold cough for example.
Blood tests help confirm the diagnosis, in addition to a more specific test, which can confirm the existence of the Bordetellapertussis bacteria through a simple procedure, performed in the laboratory, where a sample of the nasal and throat secretion is collected for analysis.
After Disease Confirmation
In case the disease is confirmed, some precautions are essential to help in the treatment and increase the chances of a quick and effective recovery, especially if it is a child who needs even more help and care.
Whooping Cough Treatment
As it is an easily contagious disease, the patient needs to stay in an airy environment , without contact with other people during the disease transmission phase.
- Separate personal belongings such as glass, cutlery, bath towel, for the patient’s exclusive use.
- To avoid dehydration , offer plenty of fluids: natural juices and plenty of water
- Prepare light meals in small quantities, but at shorter intervals throughout the day.
- Wash your hands frequently.
Finally, if more serious crises occur and you have doubts, see your doctor or a hospital. At these times, we are calmer when we are assisted by specialists and adequate resources for any emergency.
Prevention is always the best treatment
The treatment of pertussis is done with antibiotics effective at each stage of the disease. It should always be under medical guidance , especially in children who need more care.
The only way to effectively prevent pertussis is through vaccination . Pentavalente is a mandatory vaccine and distributed free of charge at health centers. It is applied in three doses and as a backup two more until the age of 4. Immunization is effective for approximately ten years.
See also: What are the symptoms of mumps?
My name is Dr. Alexis Hart I am 38 years old, I am the mother of 3 beautiful children! Different ages, different phases 16 years, 12 years and 7 years. In love with motherhood since always, I found it difficult to make my dreams come true, and also some more after I was already a mother.
Since I imagined myself as a mother, in my thoughts everything seemed to be much easier and simpler than it really was, I expected to get pregnant as soon as I wished, but it wasn’t that simple. The first pregnancy was smooth, but my daughter’s birth was very troubled. Joana was born in 2002 with a weight of 2930kg and 45cm, from a very peaceful cesarean delivery but she had already been born with congenital pneumonia due to a broken bag not treated with antibiotics even before delivery.
