Whooping cough, a disease that may seem distant and manageable, is rapidly becoming a global concern. The situation is not limited to one country, as evidenced by China’s report of 13 deaths and thousands affected in the past two months. The numbers are alarming, with cases surging more than 20-fold in the first month of 2024, and the trend is spreading worldwide.
China reported 32,380 cases of whooping cough in January and February 2024, while the number was too low (1,421 cases) at the same time in 2023. Whooping cough is the next highly contagious respiratory disease, which can take hundreds of lives. It has also been reported that China saw a massive outbreak of respiratory disorders in 2023, just after settling down with COVID-19 in late 2022.
What is whooping cough?
Whooping cough, also known as pertussis, is a highly contagious respiratory infection that can lead to death. According to reports from the WHO, the disease is caused by a bacteria called Bordetella Pertussis. The infection is contagious and spreads through respiratory droplets. It could be invasive for kids, infants, and people with deficient immunity.
The infection primarily leads to severe illness and, if not treated on time with care, can cause mortality as well.
Whooping cough symptoms
The symptoms of whooping cough usually appear after 7-10 days post-infection. The primary symptoms include a runny nose, cough and progressing to prolonged coughing spells. In several cases, it can create whopping sounds during inhalation. Meanwhile, pneumonia is a common complication in infants following this infection.
The symptoms can be observed with brain deformities as well as severe headaches and seizures of the senses. A low-grade fever and a mild to intense cough can also be a remarkable symptom of this infection.
Whooping cough treatments
Whooping cough can be treated with generic antibiotics at an early stage, but it can turn invasive if not considered on time. The coughing spells can last up to 4 to 8 weeks as well.
If you have a heavy or intense cough that has lasted longer than 3 weeks, you should consult a doctor.
