Whooping cough is a bacterial infection that can lead to apnea (temporary cessation of breathing) in an infant, spasm of the larynx, pneumonia (inflammation of the lungs), respiratory arrest, impaired cerebral circulation, rupture of the eardrum and diaphragm. It is characterized by spasmodic attacks of coughing, more often at night, with sharp deep whistling breaths - reprises.
Whooping cough is treated on an outpatient basis or in a hospital. Fresh, humidified air and the reduction of various external irritants that affect the organs of hearing, vision, and tactile sensations significantly ease coughing attacks. Medicinal treatment of whooping cough: antihistamines with a sedative effect; anxiolytics; antibacterial drugs. In case of a severe course of the disease with pronounced oxygen starvation, oxygen therapy is prescribed.
Whooping cough can be prevented thanks to vaccination. According to the national vaccination calendar, it is necessary to vaccinate children for the prevention of whooping cough at the age of 2, 4, 6 and 18 months (four vaccinations for children ).
The first signs of whooping cough are moderate fever, runny nose, cough, which usually turns into a convulsive cough. In infants, this may be accompanied by periods of temporary cessation of breathing movements (apnea). Pneumonia is a relatively common complication of whooping cough, convulsions and brain damage (encephalopathy) occur less often. Symptoms usually appear 7-10 days after infection.
Laboratory diagnostics includes: