Pertussis

Whooping cough, also known as pertussis, is a serious respiratory tract infection. It is caused by a bacteria knowns as bordetella pertussis. Symptoms start out similar to the common cold - nasal congestion, fever, watery eyes, and a cough. After a week or so symptoms get progressively worse. The hacking cough is often followed by a small sound that resembles a "whoop" as people try to breathe air into their lungs. It is considered to be a serious medical condition, and can be fatal for those who have a compromised (or not fully formed) immune system. Infants and children are usually the most affected by it.

Before the invention and widespread use of vaccines, this condition was blamed for many deaths. However, as medical science as evolved, the amount of fatalities has lowered considerably. Unfortunately, there are still some segments of the population who don't believe in vaccines, and that means a higher risk of this highly contagious disease is a very real possibility. Because the illness is caused by a bacteria (as opposed to a virus), it can be treated with antibiotics. The earlier treatment starts, the better it works. Unfortunately, the cough can stick around up to a month and a half.

Testing for this condition might include a mouth swab, chest x-rays, and a blood test. This may help the doctor to narrow down the possibilities. Unfortunately, there are other diseases that can mimic the signs of pertussis, so ruling those out quickly is a very real hurdle that doctors face. The bacteria will only respond to certain medicines, so getting the correct diagnosis as soon as possible will help get people on the road to recovery. In some cases, a person may need to be hospitalized and kept under isolation. This is especially true if they can't breathe properly and are unable to eat or drink.

As symptoms progressively get worse they often include vomiting, fainting, hemorrhages, and painful breathing due to fractured ribs. The ribs can actually crack from the force of the coughing fits.

Keep in mind the importance of getting vaccinated, as this is (and other diseases) are often preventable. Doing so can help keep you and your loved ones healthier and prevent you from developing any number of serious medical conditions.