Whooping cough, Definition, Symptoms, Causes, Diagnosis, Treatment, Prevention, Complications

Whooping cough, Definition, Symptoms, Causes, Diagnosis, Treatment, Prevention, Complications

 

Whooping cough or pertussis is a bacterial infection of the respiratory tract and lungs. This disease is highly contagious and can be life threatening, especially when it attacks infants and children.

Whooping cough is usually characterized by a series of loud, persistent coughs. Generally, whooping cough often begins with a characteristic long, high-pitched breath sound that sounds like a "whoop". This condition can cause the sufferer to have difficulty breathing.

Although both are characterized by a persistent cough, pertussis is different from tuberculosis (TB). In addition to being caused by different types of bacteria, tuberculosis usually causes coughing for more than 2 weeks, night sweats, drastic weight loss, and coughing up blood.

Causes of Whooping Cough

Whooping cough is caused by infection with the bacteria Bordetella pertussis in the respiratory tract. This bacterium is spread when a person inhales droplets of a person with whooping cough or touches an exposed object.

Anyone can get whooping cough, but the risk of developing the disease is higher in some people with the following conditions:

• Age below 1 year or above 65 years old
• Have not undergone or completed the pertussis vaccination
• Live or visit in an area with a pertussis outbreak
• Is pregnant
• Frequent contact with pertussis sufferers
• Suffering from obesity
• Have a history of asthma

Whooping Cough Symptoms

Bordetella pertussis bacteria that enter the body will release toxins and cause inflammation in the respiratory tract. The patient's body then responds by increasing the production of mucus to trap bacteria, which are then expelled through persistent coughing.

As a result of the relentless cough, the patient reflexively takes a long and fast breath, resulting in a shrill sound (whooping) which is a characteristic symptom of whooping cough.

Symptoms of whooping cough generally appear 5-10 days after a person is exposed to the Bordetella pertussis bacteria in the respiratory tract. Based on the stages, the symptoms of whooping cough include:

Early stage (catarrhal phase)

In the early stages, the symptoms of whooping cough last for 1-2 weeks and are usually similar to the symptoms of a cold. Patients may experience complaints in the form of a mild cough, sneezing, runny nose or stuffy nose, red and watery eyes, and a low-grade fever.

Although the symptoms are mild, at this early stage the patient is at risk of transmitting the bacteria to others through splashes of saliva when coughing or sneezing.

Advanced stage (paroxysmal phase)

After the initial stage, people with whooping cough experience advanced stage symptoms that last for 1-6 weeks. At this stage, the symptoms experienced can get worse and cause various complaints, such as:

• Persistent loud cough accompanied by a “whoop” sound when taking deep breaths between coughs
• Face looks red or blue when coughing
• Vomiting after coughing
• Feeling very tired after coughing
• Difficulty taking breath

In addition to getting worse, the duration of whooping cough in the advanced stages can last more than 1 minute. The frequency also becomes more frequent, especially at night.

Recovery phase (convalescent phase)

The recovery phase of whooping cough can last for 2-3 weeks. At this stage, the severity and frequency of symptoms begin to gradually subside. However, the cough can recur for several months if the patient has a respiratory infection.

If it affects infants or children, whooping cough often causes no symptoms. However, babies can experience complaints in the form of temporary stopped breathing (apnea) and the baby's skin looks blue due to lack of oxygen.

When to go to the doctor

Immediately consult a doctor if you or your child experience the symptoms of whooping cough as described above, especially if you have not received the pertussis vaccine. Examination and treatment need to be given immediately to prevent more serious complications.

You are also advised to seek medical attention immediately if you suffer from respiratory disorders, heart disease, and obesity. The goal is to find out the cause of the cough you are experiencing and control your health condition.

Whooping Cough Diagnosis

To diagnose whooping cough, the doctor will ask questions about the symptoms experienced, the patient's medical history, along with a thorough physical examination. Next, the doctor will perform additional examinations to confirm the diagnosis. The inspection includes:

• Test a sample of mucus from the nose or throat, to see if the patient's sputum contains Bordetella pertussis bacteria
• Blood tests, to see elevated levels of white blood cells (leukocytes), which indicate an infection
• Chest X-ray, to see the condition of the lungs and respiratory tract, including seeing signs of inflammation, such as infiltrates or fluid buildup

Whooping Cough Treatment

Treatment of whooping cough aims to treat bacterial infections, relieve symptoms, and prevent disease transmission. Some of the treatments that can be done are:

Administration of antibiotics

Antibiotics can be given to kill bacteria and prevent recurrence of symptoms. This drug is also useful for preventing the spread of infection to other parts of the body and the transmission of this disease to other people. Even so, giving antibiotics will be more effective in the early weeks of infection.

Self care at home

In addition to taking antibiotics according to the doctor's prescription, patients are encouraged to do self-care at home to speed up healing. Some of the ways that can be done are:

• Get plenty of rest and drink enough water
• Eat smaller portions, but more often
• Maintain cleanliness and stay away from exposure to dust or cigarette smoke
• Using a humidifier
• Cover mouth and nose or wear a mask when coughing or sneezing
• Wash your hands with running water and soap regularly

Patients may take fever medications and pain relievers, such as paracetamol, to relieve fever or sore throat, but consult their doctor first. It is important to remember, avoid giving pain medication to children under 4-6 years of age.

Hospital treatment

Hospitalization is necessary if whooping cough occurs in infants, children with a history of lung, heart, or nerve disease, and patients with severe symptoms. This is because these patients are more at risk of complications.

Hospitalization may include:

• Suction of mucus or phlegm from the respiratory tract
• Giving oxygen through a breathing apparatus, such as a mask or tube, especially if the patient has difficulty breathing
• Placement of patients in isolation rooms to prevent the spread of disease
• Giving nutrition and fluids through an IV, especially if the patient is at risk of dehydration or difficulty swallowing food

Whooping Cough Complications

Whooping cough can cause a number of health complications, including:

• Pneumonia
• Bruised or cracked ribs
• Nosebleeds and brain hemorrhage
• Brain damage due to lack of oxygen
• Rupture of blood vessels in the skin or eyes
• Hernia in the abdomen (abdominal hernia)
• Ear infections, such as otitis media
• Lung and respiratory tract disorders in the future
• Seizure

Whooping Cough Prevention

The best way to prevent whooping cough is to get vaccinated or immunized against pertussis. This vaccine is usually given by a doctor or midwife together with the diphtheria, tetanus, and polio vaccines (DTP vaccination).

Basic immunization for DTP is given at 2, 3, and 4 months of age. However, if there are several factors that cause the baby to not be immunized, parents are advised to bring their child for a catch-up immunization according to the schedule given by the doctor.

Children are also advised to do further immunization (booster) so that the benefits are more optimal. This immunization is carried out 4 times, namely at the age of 18 months, 5 years, 10-12 years, and 18 years. Booster immunization is also recommended to be repeated every 10 years.

Pregnant women are also recommended to have a booster vaccination at 27-36 weeks of gestation. Pertussis vaccination during pregnancy can protect your baby from developing whooping cough in the early weeks of birth.

In addition to undergoing vaccination, also practice a clean and healthy lifestyle to increase body resistance.

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