Whooping cough is highly contagious respiratory infection. The key symptom of whooping cough that helps distinguish this illness from other respiratory infections is the hacking, dry cough. This cough is marked by a high pitched inspiration, which produces a "whooping" sound. Other symptoms include runny nose, dry cough and low grade fever. If whooping cough goes undetected for more than one to two weeks, it develops into a severe respiratory illness causing uncontrolled coughing, fevers and difficulty breathing. Those at high risk of whooping cough include infants and those who have not had proper immunizations. Whooping cough is detected through a nasal swab or blood tests done at your local doctor's office. Treatment of whooping cough is antibiotic therapy. Rest, increasing fluid intake and humidified air also help control symptoms associated with whooping cough. The best way to prevent whooping cough is obtaining the pertussis vaccine. This vaccine is often given in combination with the tetanus and diphtheria vaccine. Typical schedule for Dtap (diphtheria, pertussis, and tetanus) vaccine is at the following ages: 2 months, 4 months, 6 months, 15 months, 4 to 6 years and 11 to 12 years. Adults are encouraged to get the Dtap vaccine every 10 years.

Information provided by Carin A. Bejarno, ARPN, of Grimes Family Physicians.

Article courtesy of Grimes Living Magazine.