The treatment of whooping cough is done with the use of antibiotics that must be used according to the medical orientation and, in the case of the children, the treatment must be done in the hospital so that it is followed up and, thus, avoid possible complications.
Pertussis, also known as Pertussis or a long cough, is an infectious disease caused by Bordetella pertussis bacteria that can occur at any age, even in people who have already been vaccinated against the disease, but in a less severe form. The transmission of pertussis takes place through the air, through droplets of saliva expelled through coughing, sneezing or during the speech of people with the disease.
How is the treatment done?
The treatment of whooping cough is made with antibiotics, usually Azithromycin, Erythromycin or Clarithromycin, which should be used according to medical advice.
The antibiotic is chosen according to the symptoms presented by the person as well as the characteristics of the drug, such as risk of drug interaction and potential to cause side effects, for example. Antibiotics, however, are only effective in the early stage of the disease, but doctors nevertheless recommend taking antibiotics to remove bacteria from the secretions and reduce the possibility of infection.
In children it may be necessary for the treatment to be performed in the hospital, as the coughing crises can be very strong and lead to complications such as rupture of small veins and cerebral arteries, causing damage to the brain. Learn more about pertussis in baby.
Natural treatment for whooping cough
Pertussis can also be treated naturally through the consumption of teas that help decrease coughing cramps and help in eliminating the bacteria. The rorela, the thyme and the golden stick have antibacterial and anti-inflammatory properties, being able to be effective in the treatment of pertussis. However, the consumption of these teas should be done with the guidance of the doctor or a herbalist. Learn more about home remedies for pertussis.
How to prevent
The prevention of pertussis is by diphtheria, tetanus and pertussis vaccine, known as DTPA, whose doses should be given at 2, 4 and 6 months of age, with booster at 15 and 18 months. People who have not been immunized properly can take the vaccine in adult life, including pregnant women. See how the diphtheria, tetanus, and pertussis vaccine works.
In addition, it is important not to stay indoors with people who have cough attacks, as it can be pertussis, and avoid contact with people already diagnosed with the disease, since vaccination does not prevent the onset of the disease, it only decreases its severity .
Main symptoms
The main symptom of whooping cough is dry cough, which usually ends in a prolonged deep breath, generating a sharp sound. The signs and symptoms of pertussis still include:
- Runny nose, malaise and low fever for approximately 1 week;
- Then the fever disappears or becomes more sporadic and the cough becomes sudden, rapid and short;
- After the 2nd week there is a worsening of the picture where other infections are observed, such as pneumonia or complications in the central nervous system.
A person may develop pertussis at any age, but most cases occur in infants and children under 4 years of age. See the other symptoms of whooping cough.
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