Whooping cough vaccination

How to diagnose?

Laboratory diagnostics includes:

• Complete blood count
• Biochemical blood test
• Bacteriological examination
• Direct immunofluorescence reaction
• PCR diagnostics

Serological tests (agglutination reaction, complement fixation reaction, indirect hemagglutination reaction). The biological material for the study is blood, sputum, mucus from the nasopharyngeal mucosa.

If necessary, the doctor may order a lung X-ray and computed tomography.

Differential diagnosis of whooping cough is carried out with inflammatory diseases of the respiratory system, the presence of foreign bodies in the upper respiratory tract, etc.

How to treat?

Whooping cough is treated on an outpatient or inpatient basis. Fresh, humidified air and a reduction in various external stimuli that affect the organs of hearing, vision, and tactile sensations significantly alleviate coughing attacks.

Drug treatment of whooping cough:

• Antihistamines with sedative effects
• Anxiolytics
• Antibacterial drugs

In severe cases of the disease with severe oxygen starvation, oxygen therapy is prescribed.

What are the symptoms?

The first signs of whooping cough are a mild fever, runny nose, and a cough that usually turns into a convulsive cough. In infants, this may be accompanied by periods of temporary cessation of breathing (apnea).

Pneumonia is a relatively common complication of whooping cough, with convulsions and brain damage (encephalopathy) occurring less frequently.

Symptoms usually appear 7-10 days after infection.

What is prevention?

Whooping cough can be prevented through vaccination, which is the main method of preventing this dangerous disease. According to the national vaccination schedule, children should be vaccinated against whooping cough at the ages of 2, 4, 6, and 18 months (four vaccinations for children ).

In addition to vaccination, it is important to follow these recommendations to prevent whooping cough:

• Avoid contact with sick people, especially during epidemics.
• Follow the rules of personal hygiene.
• Consult a doctor promptly at the first symptoms of whooping cough.

Vaccination is the most effective way to protect against whooping cough, reducing the risk not only of infection but also of complications. Take care of your child's health by following the vaccination schedule!