At the first time, whooping cough symptoms may similar to common cold symptoms. The signs of whooping cough commonly last for 6 to 10 weeks or it may stay longer, depend on the treatment and patient’s immunity. This condition can affect to adult, children, or even babies. According to WebMD.com, the signs and symptoms in young children is classified into three stages.
In first stage, the whooping cough symptoms start to appear like common cold such as runny nose, sneezing, watery eyes, mild coughing, and some time but not always mild fever. Those symptoms usually stay for 2 weeks or more. Those who experience this stage can spread the disease to closer people around them through sneezing or coughing.
In second stage, serious signs start to appear and may last for about 2 to 4 weeks or longer. The cough getting worse, a hacking, dry cough turns into burst of uncontrollable. Several patient experience heavy coughing that make them hard to breath and causing whooping noise and vomiting. Usually, the frequency of the cough is happen up to 30 times a day and cause extreme fatigue. At this stage, the mild fever may leave.
In third stage, or it also known as the final stage, the cough is gradually calmed and less frequent. In this period, those who experience whooping cough symptoms start to feel better and gains strength. This period may stay for a few weeks to few months, depend on the treatment and patient’s immune system. Someone who on this stage should avoid to getting cold since it can flare up the cough. According to mayoclinic.com, those who weren’t receive whooping cough vaccine in the past, may experience this final stage longer.
How to avoid whooping cough symptoms
First, you should know that whooping cough is classified as severe and dangerous condition especially to children. To avoid the infection, taking whooping cough vaccine is the best protection, it usually given to children at 2, 4, 6, and 15 to 18 month of age. The vaccine for adult is also available, called as Tdap and it protect us from whooping cough, diphtheria, and tetanus.
Untreated whooping cough may lead to complications including hernia and pneumonia. If you or your children experience persistence cough for few weeks, especially if it accompanied with whooping noise, go to your doctor as soon as possible to get a proper diagnose and treatment. Health-practitioners warn that this severe cough post the most serious risk to children and baby, especially babies younger than 4 months. This condition may also lead to a serious condition in elders with ages 60 and older.
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