How to Recognize Whooping Cough (Pertussis)

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By Richard Ferri
eHow Contributing Writer

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Whooping cough or pertussis was once considered a childhood disease.

Whooping cough or pertussis was once typically thought to be a "disease of childhood" mainly because of the very high vaccination rate (98 percent) in infants and children which resulted in keeping it at arm's length of most adults. However, due to reasons not yet fully clear it appears that pertussis is being seen a little more frequently in the United States and in the adult population. There are an estimated 300,000 deaths worldwide associated with pertussis annually.

This article will present the basics of whooping cough, what it is and how to tell if you may have a case of it.

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Difficulty: Moderately Challenging

Instructions

Step 1

Whooping cough is not your ordinary cough that many of us experience with the common cold or sinus congestion. It is harsh sounding (hence the term "whooping") and is associated with violent coughing spasms. The symptoms worsen over the beginning of the disease and produce very thick sputum. The cough becomes very physically debilitating.
Step 2

When a person has an episode of whooping cough their skin may actually turn bluish indicting a lack of sufficient oxygen. This typically will correct itself as the attack diminishes.
Step 3

Your clinician may diagnosis pertussis by clinical exam but should also confirm the diagnosis by taking a nasal culture from both nostrils to determine whether the bacterium bordetella pertussis is present. Bordetella pertussis is the causative agent of whooping cough.
Step 4

Once diagnosed, the treatment of whooping cough is generally a 21-day course of antibiotics, fluids, rest and symptom management. Whooping cough is on the rise. Do not ignore a strange, harsh cough. Get it checked out!

Tips & Warnings

Adults as well as children can get whooping cough even after vaccination.
Whooping cough is HIGHLY CONTAGIOUS. It is spread by coming into contact with infected secretions. Meticulous hand washing and covering of the mouth while coughing is essential.
Untreated whooping cough can lead to more serious respiratory conditions such as pneumonia.
As with any health care advice on the Internet this is for educational purposes only. You should see your nurse practitioner or physician for actual screening and testing of any medical condition.

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