How to detect whooping cough early?

In the current flu situation, there has recently been a case of a child dying from whooping cough. How do you know if your child has whooping cough?

Children should be vaccinated to prevent disease - Photo: DUYEN PHAN

Whooping cough is a respiratory infection caused by the bacterium Bordetella pertussis. It is characterized by severe, prolonged, and uncontrollable coughing spells. The coughing spells in whooping cough are caused not only by the bacterium but also by the toxins it produces.

Whooping cough toxin damages the airways and irritates the nervous system, causing the person to cough violently, persistently, and often ends with a whooping sound that sounds like a rooster crowing.

This characteristic whistling sound occurs due to constriction and inflammation in the airways, narrowing the airways. When the patient tries to inhale after coughing, air is forced through this narrowing, creating a "whooping" sound, similar to the sound of a chicken.

In addition to the characteristic whistling sound, whooping cough also has other symptoms such as severe, uncontrollable coughing, 15-20 times in a row, gradually getting weaker. Coughing up clear white phlegm, sticky like egg whites.

Prolonged coughing spells in whooping cough can cause serious damage, especially in infants and young children. Each coughing spell can last from 30 seconds to more than a minute, during which the patient coughs continuously, unable to breathe enough oxygen, causing the body to become exhausted.

Lack of oxygen while coughing can cause children to turn blue, have convulsions or stop breathing temporarily. Just a few minutes of lack of oxygen can cause irreversible brain damage, especially in children under 3 years old.

To detect whooping cough early, people rely on two simple signs.

Firstly, if you see your baby's cough lasts more than 7 days without a high fever or does not improve despite taking cough medicine, parents should take the baby to see a doctor for an accurate diagnosis.

Second, observe and listen to the cough. If your baby coughs for a long time, turns purple, vomits or makes a whistling sound after coughing, you should immediately think of whooping cough.

Whooping cough is a dangerous respiratory infection, so parents must pay attention to prevention. Vaccination is an important and effective preventive measure.

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Source: https://tuoitre.vn/lam-sao-nhan-biet-som-benh-ho-ga-202502190804408.htm