Whooping cough (also known as pertussis) is a bacterial infection that gets into your nose and throat. It spreads easily, but vaccines like DTaP (diphtheria, tetanus, and pertussis) and Tdap (tetanus, diphtheria, and pertussis) can help prevent it in children and adults.
Whooping Cough Treatment and Home Remedies
If you find out you have whooping cough early on, antibiotics can help cut down coughing and other symptoms. They can also help prevent the infection from spreading to others. But most people are diagnosed too late for antibiotics to work well.
According to Webmd, don’t use over-the-counter cough medicines, cough suppressants, or expectorants (medicines that make you cough up mucus) to treat whooping cough. They don’t work.
If your coughing spells are so bad that they keep you from drinking enough fluids, you can get dehydrated. If this happens, call your doctor right away.
You can do a few things to feel better and recover faster:
1. Get lots of rest. This can give your body more strength to fight the illness.
2. Eat small meals as often as you feel up to it. Eating less more often can help prevent the vomiting sometimes caused by harsh coughing spells.
3. Clean air. Keeping the air around you free of dust, smoke, and other irritants can help soothe coughing.
4. Drink fluids. Stay hydrated by drinking lots of water or juice. If you notice signs of dehydration, like dry lips or peeing less often, call your doctor right away.
Whooping Cough Prevention
The DTaP vaccine can help protect children from whooping cough. Infants should get a dose every other month for the first 6 months, another between 15 and 18 months, then one last time between ages 4 and 6.
Older children and adults need the Tdap vaccine and a booster every 10 years because the vaccine can weaken over time. The best age for kids to get it is between 11 and 12. Adults who’ve never had the vaccine can get it any time. Pregnant women should get a booster to help protect their newborn.
Another important key to prevention is to protect the people around you. If someone in your household has whooping cough, make sure they cover their mouth or cough into their elbow to keep from spreading the bacteria. Wash hands often, and consider having them wear a mask when they’re near others.
Content created and supplied by: Kwajaffa (via Opera
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