What are the 3 stages of whooping cough?

There are three recognized stages of the disease: catarrhal, paroxysmal, and convalescent. The incubation period for Pertussis is 7 to 10 days. During the first or catarrhal stage of the disease, the symptoms are mild and may go unnoticed or be confused with the common cold or influenza.

What are the signs of whooping cough in adults?

What are the symptoms of whooping cough?

• Coughing, violently and rapidly, until all the air has left the lungs and a person is forced to inhale, causing a “whooping” sound.
• Sneezing.
• Nasal discharge.
• Fever.
• Sore, watery eyes.
• Lips, tongue, and nailbeds may turn blue during coughing spells.

Does whooping cough go away on its own?

Pertussis bacteria die off naturally after three weeks of coughing. If antibiotics are not started within that time, they are no longer recommended. Antibiotics can also be given to close contacts of persons with pertussis to prevent or lessen the symptoms.

What kills whooping cough?

If caught early, whooping cough can be treated with antibiotics. It’s so contagious that your doctor may even prescribe preventive antibiotics for you when someone in your household has whooping cough.

What is a paroxysmal cough?

Paroxysmal coughing involves frequent and violent coughing that can make it hard for a person to breathe. Coughing is an automatic reflex that helps your body get rid of extra mucus, bacteria, and other foreign substances.

How do you check for whooping cough?

There are several tests to confirm whooping cough. Your doctor can swab inside your nose and/or throat. A lab will check the swab for whooping cough bacteria. Your doctor also may want to get a blood sample or take a chest X-ray.

Is whooping cough wet or dry?

What are the symptoms? The first symptoms of pertussis may be similar to those of a common cold, including nasal congestion, runny nose, sneezing, red and watery eyes, mild fever, and a dry cough. After about one week to 2 weeks, the dry cough becomes a wet cough that brings up thick, stringy mucus.

Does whooping cough feel like a tickle in your throat?

A person may feel a tickling sensation in their throat and be unable to stop coughing. In most cases, the cough goes away on its own. However, there are other causes that people can investigate if a cough becomes chronic: Asthma: Other symptoms include a tight sensation of the chest, shortness of breath, and wheezing.

What is the best medicine for whooping cough?

What is the treatment? Antibiotics can prevent and treat whooping cough. Recommended antibiotics include azithromycin, erythromycin and clarithromycin. Trimethoprim sulfamethoxazole can also be used.

Is whooping cough worse at night?

Symptoms usually start about 7 to 10 days after catching whooping cough, with a cold, blocked or runny nose, coughing and a mild fever. The cough gets worse and often happens at night. It might stop you from sleeping. Coughing attacks can be very violent, and some people vomit or faint after coughing.

What other respiratory illnesses mimic whooping cough?

Beware: there are other diseases that can mimic pertussis: Adenoviruses, parainfluenza and influenza viruses, enteroviruses, and respiratory syncytial virus can cause a predominantly cough illness.

How do you cure whooping cough?

get plenty of rest

The standard treatment of whooping cough has been a full dose of erythromycin for 14 days. Sensitivity and side effects to this medicine may reduce compliance and effectiveness. Natural treatments for whooping cough include ginger, raw honey, probiotics, bone broth and getting plenty of rest and fluids.

What are some facts about whooping cough?

Whooping cough (pertussis) facts Whooping cough (pertussis) is an acute, highly contagious bacterial infection. Whooping cough commonly affects infants and young children, but immunization with the pertussis vaccine can prevent the infection. Young infants are at greatest risk for complications and even death from this respiratory disease.

What is the blood test for whooping cough?

To diagnose whooping cough, your doctor will perform a physical exam and take samples of mucus in the nose and throat. These samples will then be tested for the presence of the B. pertussis bacteria. A blood test may also be necessary to make an accurate diagnosis.