Whooping Cough - Medtick
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Whooping Cough

What is it?

A human bacterial condition where one has a persistent cough and also have moments of intense coughing followed by a ‘whooping noise’.

  • This occurs because the bacteria cause swelling in the airways making it narrower causing breathing difficulties and the whooping noise (though not always).
  • Moments of intense coughing can last up to two minutes and one can have several bouts in quick succession, it can be up to 12-15 bouts each day.
  • It can take up to three months to make a full recovery.
  • It is highly contagious and persons should not go out or children go to school until they have completed a course of antibiotics and/or had intense moments of coughing for three weeks.
  • Persons with a weak immune system, who are overweight  and those not up to date with their vaccination are especially vulnerable to this condition.
  • This condition can affect adults as well as babies and children.

Countries where outbreaks have occurred (though can occur anywhere):

North America

  • Canada
  • Mexico
  • United States of America (Alaska, Hawaii, Oahu, Maui)

Europe & Russia

  • Denmark
  • Ireland
  • Netherlands
  • Spain (Spain Majorca, Minorca, Balearic Islands, Ibiza, Formentera, Canary Islands, Gran Canaria, Tenerife, Lanzarote, Fuerteventura)
  • United Kingdom

Asia

  • Pakistan
  • Hong Kong

 Australasia and Pacific

  • Australia
Please make sure all persons are up to date with their vaccinations as well as if one has contact with children (make sure their vaccinations are up to date).
Contagious
A person with whooping cough can pass it to others as soon as they get cold-like symptoms. They can also pass it up to 3 weeks after they start coughing. If the infected person takes an appropriate antibiotic, they will not spread the germ after 5 full days of treatment.
New York state Department of Health (.gov)

Diagnosis tests

  • Polymerase chain reaction testing
  • Respiratory tract cultures

Vaccination

  • Immunity conferred by pertussis immunization is typically not lifelong. Individuals vaccinated as children might be vulnerable to pertussis in adulthood.

Medscape

Cause

  • Bacteria: Bordetella pertussis
  • Bacteria grow in the lining of one’s airways and can be spread by:
    • Other infected person via sneezing and coughing
    • Air droplets

Symptoms

First one or two weeks (catarrhal phase):

  • Low grade fever?
  • Initially a persistent dry cough which has now become a chesty cough with yellow/green and/or blood stained phlegm?
  • Runny nose, congestion cold for up to three weeks or not cleared by over the counter medication?
  • Sore throat longer than seven days or more?
  • Watery eyes?

Then two to four weeks and it then clams down for another one or two weeks (paroxysmal phase):

  • Dry cough longer than three weeks and/or breathing difficulties?
  • Babies may have a pause in breathing?
  • A ‘whooping sound’ with each sharp intake of air after coughing?
  • Abdominal pain and/or are constant violently vomiting or vomiting longer than two days (one day if a child)?
  • Sneezing?
  • General discomfort (muscle weakness), uneasiness or ill feeling (malaise) and/or fatigue (tiredness)?
  • Balance and dizziness problems?
  • Ear infection (earache longer than four days) or an ear discharge?
  • Swollen lymph glands and/or reoccurring mouth ulcers?

The convalescent phase (lasts up to three months):

  • The paroxysms will become less severe and less frequent?

Complications /Information to beware of/General tips:

Medical Emergency Condition

And/or do not wait, phone for an ambulance if have or develop:

This condition can lead to:

  • Nose bleeds (sudden increase in the pressure within the blood vessels of the nose)
  • Appearance of red blood vessels in the white of the eyes (scleral haemorrhage) – (sudden increase in the pressure within the blood vessels of the eyes).
  • Emphysema
  • Inguinal hernia

General tips

  • See your Medical Doctor as soon as possible, antibiotics are required.
  • Those who have a weak immune system i.e. medical condition, infants aged < 12 months and pregnant women in their third trimester, antibiotics may be required as prevention.
  • Do not touch your face with unwashed hands
  • Avoid close contact with infected people
  • Avoid close contact with people who are already ill
  • Do not share towels and utensils, dishes , drinking glasses
  • Clean and disinfect frequently touched objects and surfaces
  • After an illness, clean surfaces that may have the virus on them with detergent and chlorine bleach.
  • Don’t prepare any food for other people until at least 2 or 3 days after diarrhea/vomiting stops.
  • Don’t eat food that is prepared by someone who is ill with diarrhoea/vomiting.
  • Stay home and away from other people when ill.
  • How to wash Hands
  • Diarrhoea advice

This condition may show similar symptoms to:

Please talk to your healthcare professional (i.e. Medical Doctor/Pharmacist) for further advice

Detailed Information

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