Whooping Cough

MODES OF SPREAD

Transmitted from person to person by-------

• Spread mainly by droplet infection & direct contact when the patient coughs, sneezes, or talks
• Most children contract infection from their playmates
• Fomites play a very small role in spread of infection

  SYMPTOMS

• Intensive cough is the most characteristic feature
• Running nose, mild cough, and low grade fever are the intial symptoms
• The nasal discharge becomes thicker and more profuse, leads to upper respiratory congestion in a young baby lasts for about 1 to 2 weeks
• The child will cough forcefully 5 to 10 times during a single expiration, followed by whooping sound when the child takes in air
• During these coughing spells, the face may turn red or blue, the eyes bulge, the tongue protrude, and there may be drooling. This stage may last 2 to 4 weeks or even longer;
• Vomiting may accompany the coughing.

PREVENTION

• To prevent the whooping cough every child should should be vaccinated with DPT vaccine at 6, 10, 14 weeks (according to National immunization schedule)