Whooping cough cases are increasing in the United States; deadly signs to watch out for

Highly contagious case whooping cough Or whooping cough Cases have increased fourfold this season in the United States compared to last year, raising concerns among parents and health authorities. Whooping cough, which usually affects children, begins as a mild illness with cold-like symptoms such as a runny or stuffy nose, low-grade fever, occasional mild cough, but as the days go by, it can get worse. , putting some children at risk of putting their lives in danger complications.
Whooping cough is particularly worrisome because children who suffer from it gasp for breath between coughing fits, letting out a sound called a cry. The respiratory tract of infants are small, which means they have difficulty breathing when overcome by coughing fits.

How do the symptoms of whooping cough develop?

In the early stages, whooping cough symptoms are mild and range from a runny nose, mild fever to a sore throat. However, the illness can worsen in the form of uncontrollable coughing fits, often followed by the beginning of a “scream” after a week or two of illness.
This is particularly distressing for infants. Although they don’t make a “scream”, they have difficulty breathing or turn blue during coughing fits for about 20 seconds. Coughing fits can be intense, causing difficulty breathing, vomiting and exhaustion.
With the right treatment, the severity of symptoms is reduced, but if not treated in time, complications such as pneumonia, seizures and even death can occur.

What happens in advanced states of whooping cough

According to the CDC, about 1 in 3 babies under the age of 1 with this condition may develop life-threatening symptoms requiring hospitalization. Whooping cough is particularly bothersome for infants who are at serious risk of complications.
Babies under 1 year of age treated in hospital may have apnea, pneumonia or lung infection, and about 2% of infants may suffer violent, uncontrollable seizures or shaking. Even more rarely, encephalopathy, a brain disease, can occur in 0.6% of babies. It is estimated that about 1% of babies could die from complications of whooping cough.
Whooping cough is treated using antibiotics This can help reduce the severity of symptoms and prevent the spread of infection if caught early.
In severe cases, especially in infants, hospitalization may be necessary to provide supportive care, including oxygen and fluids.

Precautions to take

Pregnant mothers are advised to take the whooping cough vaccine between 20 and 32 weeks to protect their newborn from infection.
Infants should receive the vaccine as part of the routine childhood program vaccination calendar. The diphtheria, tetanus, and pertussis (DTaP) vaccine protects against diphtheria, tetanus (tetanus), and pertussis (cough) and is given as a series of 5 injections, usually given at 2 months, 4 months, 6 months, 15 to 18 months and 4 to 6 years.
The Tdap vaccine (booster) should be given between ages 11 and 12 and to older adolescents and adults who have not yet received a booster with pertussis coverage. Then, Td boosters (tetanus and diphtheria) can be given once every ten years.