Whooping Cough Care

Whooping cough is caused due to Bordetella pertussis and is a contagious disease. If left ignored it may lead to death. Hence, it becomes very important to take proper care of the infection.

The disease can occur to anyone at any age but it is more common in babies under the age of 1 year, especially to those who have not been immunized. It has been cause of death of every 3 out of 4 unimmunized infants.

Symptoms

A characteristic feature of whooping cough is that the person makes a whooping sound while coughing. Early symptoms are those of a normal cough and cold. Mild fever, running nose and tiredness is also observed. It gradually affects the respiratory system.

Later symptoms include spasms in the cough, convulsions, choking, and episodes of apnea (non-breathing phase). Due to difficulty in breathing the body may not be able to get adequate oxygen supply, thereby causing cyanosis. In this the skin may start to appear blue or purple.

Prevention and Treatment

The infants must be immunized with the vaccine. In case of a 1 week old cough/cold which does not go consult doctor immediately. Towel and other clothing of the person suffering from pertussis must be washed and kept separately.

In adults, antibiotics are used treat the infection. It is important to take complete course of the medicines even if symptoms disappear. This is important to eradicate the infection completely from the body.

Home Remedies

In initial stages, betel leaf tea with one tablespoon of honey is very effective in clearing spasm in the throat. Honey helps increase immunity. Freshly prepared carrot juice can be taken twice a day.

1 tablespoon of garlic juice is very effective. Though it has a very pungent taste but the trouble is worth it. Chew on small pieces of mulethi (Glycerriza glabra).

Drinking a bowl of cabbage soup every day will show immediate relief in cough spasm and whooping sound.

Stir some wheat powder with 1 tbsp of ghee until it becomes brown. Add 1 tbsp of finely chopped pieces of almonds. Pour in one cup of milk and let it become thick. Remove from the heat and sip it slowly at night time.