Pertussis: symptoms, treatment, prevention. Cough with whooping cough: how to treat?

Pertussis is a common infectious pathology of the respiratory tract, which can cause partial intoxication of the body. This disease is accompanied by a strong paroxysmal cough. Basically, it is diagnosed in children, especially infants, since their immunity is more susceptible to external influences. Although adolescents and adults who have not been vaccinated can also become infected with whooping cough.

What is the disease?

Provoke the development of pertussis Bordatella pertussis. This airway disease is very contagious, almost everyone after contacting an infected person subsequently falls ill. Pertussis has previously been considered an exclusively childish ailment, but recently the number of adults and adolescents has increased. This pathology is difficult at any age.

In whooping cough, the latent period is from 2 to 14 days. This infection is transmitted exclusively by airborne droplets. The total duration of the disease is at least 6 weeks. Vaccination against whooping cough does not fully protect the body, even after recurring, you can get infected again.

The disease is divided into two forms: abortive and atypical. In the latter case, coughing spells are rare, without a strong rise in temperature. The abortive form is characterized by acute development. First there is a perspiration in the throat, then there is a cough in whooping cough without sharp spasms. A few days later, the symptoms of the disease can go by yourself. But it should be remembered that pertussis is a dangerous pathology, and if it is not found in time, complications, sometimes deadly, can occur.

Causes of bacterial infection

The main source of the spread of the disease is the infected person. The most dangerous pathologies with atypical or worn-out form of flow.

The spread of the disease is difficult to prevent because the incubation period can not be seen, and catarrhal pertussis is mild. That is why many people do not pay attention to the first symptoms of the disease. The patient begins to worry when coughing attacks with pertussis last several minutes, greatly hindering breathing. Given these features of the course of the disease and the beginning of its development, it is not surprising that the isolation of an infected person in many cases occurs late.

It should be noted that cases of infection by the infection from domestic and wild animals have been recorded, although pathology in this case is considered a pertussis-like disease. In this case, the person is also concerned about coughing.

Whooping cough: symptoms

As already mentioned, the disease lasts about 5-6 weeks. It is divided into three main stages: catarrhal, paroxysmal and the stage of recovery.

The catarrhal stage can last 14 days. During the prodromal period, a person is disturbed by a persistent dry cough. Pertussis at this stage passes without raising the temperature. It is at this stage that the diagnosis is often mistaken. The patient can be diagnosed with bronchitis or ARVI. With the development of the disease there is a strong cough. Pertussis is very contagious at this stage, but it is much easier to stop it at this time.

Bacteria that cause this infection lose their activity on a daily basis, and by the end of the third week they are completely weakened. But for this period of time the patient can catch a lot of people who surround him.

2-3 weeks after infection, there is a paroxysmal stage. At this stage, there is a spasmodic cough. Outside the attacks, the patient feels well, his behavior remains the same. When the kids are approaching a spasm, they are nervous, complaining of a sore throat. Then cough (with pertussis in children it gradually intensifies) becomes paroxysmal and convulsive. Because of him, it becomes difficult to breathe.

When the condition is normalized (as a rule, this happens after 12 tremors), air enters the respiratory tract with whistling. This moment is called a reprise.

During an attack, there are 3-6 coughing spasms with reprises. In this case, the face of the infected person turns blue or reddens, the tongue is pushed forward, and the veins are swelling on the neck. Even with such attacks, cramps or spontaneous urination may occur. Possible loss of consciousness. That's why parents need to know what cough is with whooping cough to avoid relapses.

At the end of the spasm, a lot of viscous and thick sputum is separated, sometimes it comes to vomiting. The attack occurs for various reasons, for example, because of violent emotions, sudden noise or fuss. In the paroxysmal period, the temperature rarely rises. But often it is accompanied by whooping cough at night, which does not allow to fall asleep.

After this, the recovery stage begins. It is believed that this stage begins from the second month of the disease, the general well-being improves, and cough becomes more rare.

Condition after illness

Cough after whooping cough can still bother a long time a person who has been ill with this pathology. Remind yourself of it for a long time, it all depends on the immunity. Residual cough is asthmatic and allergic, so it's better to still be examined.

The presence of such a symptom is explained by the fact that in the case of a cough disease the center is strongly irritated, and after recovery, overexcited cells provoke a cough after pertussis for some time. In such a period, doctors advise to beware of various infections.

How to detect the disease?

This pathology of the respiratory tract is difficult to diagnose. It is often confused with para-pertussis similar infections. However, it should be remembered that the causative agent of this disease is transmitted only by airborne droplets. Cough in whooping cough in children and adults is so specific that the doctor can determine the disease only after hearing the infected person.

Before making a diagnosis, the doctor first collects an anamnesis about the patient. The findings often indicate a possible infection during the patient's contact with a person who has previously contracted pertussis. After all, this ailment can not appear against the background of acute respiratory diseases or be a complication of other infections.

When diagnosing it is difficult to distinguish this pathology from the existing chronic ailments in the period of exacerbation and occupational diseases of the respiratory system.

Symptoms of whooping cough suggest the presence of this particular disease, since coughing with it is quite specific. To clarify the alleged diagnosis, the patient takes a crop to be separated during coughing to study a special environment and the microflora developing on it. In addition, additional tests are performed to assess the overall condition of the patient.

Complications caused by whooping cough

As already known, the youngest children, especially infants, are most affected by this disease. And babies are able to tolerate whooping cough without coughing. But they have a high probability of complications after the disease. Most often this bacterial infection leads to the following problems:

• Dehydration;
• Time delay or stopping breathing;
• Pneumonia (in other words, pneumonia);
• Losing weight due to frequent vomiting;
• Convulsions;
• Disruption of the brain;
• Renal failure, which requires temporary dialysis.

And violations of brain activity and pneumonia can lead to negative consequences, even to death. True, such cases are rare.

In adults and older children, with such a disease, complications also develop, but not as often as in babies, and it is easier to tolerate. Less serious consequences of pertussis include the appearance of bruises on the ribs and nosebleeds due to a strong cough, as well as puffiness of the face, the formation of ulcers in the mouth and tongue. Among other things, otitis media can develop.

If a pregnant woman becomes pregnant with pertussis, she may face a miscarriage. Of course, such cases are extremely rare, as adults are in most cases vaccinated against this ailment. Nevertheless, it happens. When carrying a child, the serious course of the disease is particularly dangerous, when up to 30 coughing attacks occur per day. Yet this bacterial infection can affect the development of the baby.

It must be remembered that cough with whooping cough is the main symptom of this pathology. To avoid these consequences, immediately after the appearance of the said symptom, you should consult a doctor.

How to get rid of the disease with medicines?

Cough with whooping cough is very difficult to treat. Treatment of this pathology is usually carried out at home, sent to a hospital if the patient has impaired circulation of the brain and the work of the respiratory system.

Since a person during the development of this bacterial infection suffers from a severe cough, doctors are trying in various ways to alleviate his condition. To cure whooping cough, the following drugs are prescribed:

• Mucolytic drugs. They are mainly used in the form of inhalations for liquefaction of sputum, in order to provide it with free outflow.
• Bronchodilators. They prevent the occurrence of spasms and promote the widening of the lumen of the bronchi.
• Vasodilators and sedatives. Such drugs help improve blood circulation in the brain, thus preventing the development of oxygen starvation.
• Antitussives. They are rarely prescribed because they have low efficacy in whooping cough.

If you follow all the recommendations of a doctor, you can quickly cure whooping cough. How long does the cough after this, depends on the degree of neglect of the disease. In general, therapy for such an infection is conducted for individual purposes, because the course of the disease in each person is different.

For example, if a child becomes infected with whooping-cough, or if a severe degree of pathology develops, the risk of developing hypoxia increases. In this case, carry out oxygen therapy. During this procedure, a special tent for infants or a mask is supplied to the children's body with air enriched with pure oxygen. Still perform treatment with nootropic drugs to improve the metabolism of the brain.

In addition, they can prescribe a two-day intake of glucocorticosteroids to eliminate whooping cough. Treatment of a cough is effective in this case: the intensity of seizures decreases, the short-term stop of breathing is eliminated.

In the event that a person with pertussis has a hypersensitivity or an individual intolerance to any drugs, doctors prescribe antihistamines. In the period of rehabilitation and recovery, patients are recommended to take vitamins, especially groups B, A and C. They will help improve immune functions and restore the body more quickly after the illness.

It should be noted that cough pertussis in adults is advisable to treat with antibiotics only in the first 10 days of the disease or with the development of complications in the form of pneumonia and bronchitis. The rest is antibiotics are powerless.

Fight infection with unconventional methods

To alleviate the cough with whooping cough will help the traditional medicine. Well established in the treatment of this disease tincture of asparagus. To make it, you need to shoot this plant, which should be crushed, add to the thermos, pour boiled water and leave for 3 hours. A ready drink is consumed one tablespoon several times a day after eating.

Remove the cough with whooping cough will result in a herbal collection consisting of thyme, anise fruits, pine buds, spores, dill seeds and licorice root. All these components should be mixed in equal parts (1 teaspoonful) and pour with water for infusion. After a few hours, the mixture should be put on fire and boiled for 2 minutes. The resulting broth should be cooled, and then well drain. Use it should be half an hour before meals 3 times a day for 150 ml.

A positive result in whooping cough is honey with black radish. A large root vegetable is used to prepare this medicine. First radish thoroughly washed, then cut off the top and remove a little flesh from the inside. In the received deepening pour honey and, having covered a root crop with the cut out part, leave for 2,5 hours for allocation of juice. Then this mixture is taken one small spoon at least 5 times a day before meals. And radish juice with honey is allowed to be given to children for the treatment of whooping cough. This therapy lasts until the disease passes into the stage of recovery. With such a tool it will be possible not only to alleviate the patient's condition, but even to avoid the development of complications.

Another effective remedy for whooping cough is a mixture of honey and sunflower seeds. It's easy to cook: first the seeds are dried in a pan or in an oven, then they are ground and poured with water and honey. This tool is brought to a boil and cooked until half the contents are left in the pan. The broth is cooled, filtered and drunk during the day in small sips.

Cure whooping cough at home will help essential oils of camphor and fir, vinegar 6%. These ingredients are mixed in equal proportions until a homogeneous mass is obtained. In it, a small piece of tissue is moistened, which is then squeezed and applied to the upper part of the thorax. Do a compress better in the evening before going to sleep. It is undesirable to perform this procedure to persons under 13 years of age.

Eliminate the symptoms of whooping cough with onion syrup, which is easy to do. To begin with, it is necessary to finely chop the onion without the husks and place it in a glass container. In this container should be added 4 tablespoons of sugar, then cover it with a lid and leave for 4 hours. During this time, the onion will allocate enough juice, which will become a cure for whooping cough. Drink such a syrup should be throughout the day for 1 small spoon every 2 hours. The therapeutic course lasts until full recovery.

Supporting measures

Even after cough has been cured, coughing for a long time will still bother the person. Therefore, doctors recommend to walk a lot and often to improve the protective functions of the body. Excellent, if there is an opportunity to spend this time in the country or in the countryside, visit the forest and near the pond. Humid air without exhaust gas, saturated with oxygen, will help to restore strength sooner after illness.

Pertussis is not a seasonal disease, like influenza or ARVI, so it can be infected even in the summer. In winter, hypothermia should be avoided during walks. It is necessary to constantly perform wet cleaning, especially in the children's room. In addition, you should get rid of carpets, soft toys and other things that accumulate dust.

If you can not avoid the disease, then in the room it is necessary to clear the air of allergens, which provoke the appearance of cough. It is desirable for such purposes to use a humidifier. When the room is hot and dry air, spasm of sputum (and already viscous) departs with difficulty, which can lead to the development of complications.

With whooping cough appoint not only medicines, but also make up a diet:

• In the diet are added foods enriched with vitamins of group B - eggs, chicken liver, cottage cheese.
• It is forbidden to eat smoked and fried foods.
• It is not recommended to drink tea, alcohol and coffee.

It is best to eat rubbed soups with this pathology. And there is a need to fractional - in small portions and at least 6 times a day.

How not to get pertussis?

Despite the fact that this pathology is extremely contagious, today there are known ways to avoid infection. The most effective method is considered vaccination.

They put a vaccine against whooping cough to a child three times - with a break of 6 weeks. And the first is done starting from three months of the baby's life. Revaccination is carried out when the baby is one and a half years old. After it, immunity against this infection is developed for 5 years. But to completely protect against whooping cough vaccination, unfortunately, can not. It only helps to transfer the disease more easily.

Steady immunity is formed after a person has recovered from this disease. Although re-infection is possible, if the protective functions of the body are weakened for some reason. Against whooping cough vaccines such as Infanrix and DTP are used. The first drug of Belgian production, and the second - Russian. Of course, there are others, but these are most often used in the fight against infection.

The vaccines differ in the type of the pertussis component. In DTP it is whole cell, and in Infanrix it is cell-free. The last vaccine is more expensive, although physicians note that the substitution of drugs does not play a big role and does not reduce effectiveness. The Russian inoculation is universal, since it is used to prevent not only pertussis, but diphtheria and tetanus. After it, antibodies are produced in a person that are sensitive to the antigens of bacterial cells.

Adults do not get vaccinated against whooping cough, because they have already developed immunity after childhood vaccination. In addition, in the vast majority of cases a person during life, at least once, but suffers this disease, although in a lighter form, taking it for an ordinary cold.

As you know, this pathology is transmitted by airborne droplets, and the most contagious patient is at the first stage of the disease. Therefore, you should know which cough in whooping cough to avoid complications. An infected person should be isolated from the rest of the family for 2-3 weeks, depending on the course of the disease. Always need to ventilate the room in which it is located. Subjected to the development of whooping cough is mostly children 6-7 years old.