Treating Whooping Cough

What's one of most dangerous diseases to threaten young children? It's whooping cough, or pertussis, a severe bacterial infection of the respiratory tract. At Mundelein Pediatrics in Grayslake, IL your team of six board-certified pediatricians treat pertussis and monitor children for its serious complications. They also urge children, parents, and grandparents to be up to date on their vaccines as prevention of whooping cough is the best medicine.

Just what is whooping cough?

It affects the respiratory tract, causing long-lasting and severe symptoms like:

• Hard, spasmodic, and noisy coughing
• Runny nose
• Gasping for breath
• Episodic cessation of breathing (apnea)
• Poor appetite
• Dehydration
• Fever
• Maiaise
• Extreme fatigue

Symptoms may last 10 weeks or more, and in infants and toddlers may require hospitalization. While people of all ages may develop whooping cough, infants are most prone because of their underdeveloped immune systems.

Treating whooping cough

Bed rest, bedroom humidification, and pushing fluids helps. Fever should be controlled with over the counter acetaminophen, and your pediatrician in Grayslake may prescribe antibiotics. Because pertussis spreads easily via respiratory droplets and person to person contact, infected persons should stay away from young or frail individuals.

In severe cases, babies and toddlers may need to be hospitalized to monitor their vital signs closely. IV medications and fluids to combat dehydration may be administered as well.

At Mundelein Pediatrics, your children's doctors firmly believe that vaccination with the DTaP (diphtheria, tetanus and pertussis) shot is critical to avoiding this potentially deadly infection. Parents, grandparents, teachers, and anyone who works closely with children should update their pertussis Immunizations with their primary care physicians.

Finally, community (or herd) immunity is an important medical reality. Immunizations administered according to the Centers for Disease Control (CDC) and American Academy of Pediatric guidelines protect entire populations. Over time, childhood diseases can (and have been) eradicated with faithful adherence to vaccination schedules. Prevention really is the best medicine for whooping cough and other serious medical problems.

Learn more

Please contact your pediatrician at Mundelein Pediatrics in Grayslake, IL, with any questions about whooping cough, vaccines, treatment, or if you think your child is exhibiting symptoms. We have ample office hours, including Sunday and walk-in availability. Call (847) 548-7337.