Whooping Cough (Pertussis): Whooping cough (pertussis) is an infectious vaccine-preventable disease marked by spasms of coughing punctuated by a characteristic "whoop" sound. Treatment involves isolating the infected individual until he or she has received five days of antibiotics, including azithromycin, clarithromycin, or trimethoprim/sulfamethoxazole. Patients can use a cool-mist humidifier, and monitoring for dehydration.
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Antibiotics
Antibiotics are prescribed to individuals to cure disease by killing bacteria. There are over 100 antibiotics. The main classes of antibiotics include penicillins, cephalosporins, macrolides, flouroquinolones, sulfonamides, tetracyclines, and aminoglycosides. Antibiotic resistance is a growing problem due to the overprescription of antibiotics to individuals. Allergic reactions to antibiotics commonly have the following symptoms shortness of breath, rash, hives, itching, swelling of the lips, face, or tongue, and fainting. -
Choking
Choking is a blockage of the upper airway by food or other objects, preventing a person from breathing effectively. Choking can cause a simple coughing fit or complete blockage of the windpipe resulting in death. -
Complete Blood Count (CBC)
Complete blood count (CBC) is one of the most common blood tests. The complete blood count test provides valuable information about the quantity of the different types of cells in the blood. The major cells in the blood are red blood cells, white blood cells, and platelets. Complete blood count can assist in diagnosing anemia, certain cancers, kidney problems, and allergic reactions. -
Coughs
A cough is a symptom of an underlying disease or condition. A chronic or persistent cough may signal certain lung conditions that should be evaluated by a healthcare professional. Common causes of coughs include infection, allergies, lung disease, medications, and GERD (reflux). Acute coughs are categorized as infectious or non-infectious. Chronic cough (persistent cough) have a variety of causes and should be evaluated by physician. Treatment of cough, acute cough, chronic or persistent cough depends on the cause of the cough. -
Earache
Earache is pain in the ear. An earache can be caused by infections or fungus. There are types of ear infections to include otitis externa, otitis externa (swimmer's ear), otitis media, and myringitis. Symptoms of an earache include pain in the ear, fever, fluid seeping from the ear, and headache. Treatment of earache depends on the cause. -
Fever in Adults
A fever is a body temperature of 100.4 F or greater. A fever may be caused by a virus, bacteria, fungus, blood clot, tumor, drug, or the environment. Treatment of fever in adults usually involves ibuprofen, acetaminophen, or aspirin. -
Fever in Children
Fever is defined as a rectal temperature over 100.4 F or 38 C. Fever isn't life-threatening unless it is persistently high - greater than a 107 F rectal temperature. Fever is usually caused by an infection. Treatment focuses on controlling the temperature, preventing dehydration, and monitoring for serious illness. -
PCR (Polymerase Chain Reaction Test)
PCR (polymerase chain reaction) is technique in molecular genetics that analyzes short sequences of DNA or RNA. PCR is used to help doctors diagnose HIV, viruses, and fungi in patients. RT-PCR is a test used to detect and measure RNA. -
Vomiting and Nausea
Vomiting and nausea are common complaints that accompany many conditions and diseases. A few common causes of vomiting and nausea include food poisoning, viruses, vertigo, head injuries, gallbladder disease, appendicitis, migraine, brain tumors, and infections. Treatment of vomiting and nausea depend on the cause of the symptoms.
Featured:
- red blood cells,
- white blood cells, and
- platelets.
- anemia,
- certain cancers,
- kidney problems, and
- allergic reactions.
Expert Views and News
- Rates of Whooping Cough and Response to Vaccine
- Pregnant Women: Get a Whooping Cough Vaccine
- Whooping Cough Vaccine Protection Wanes Fast
- CDC: Whooping Cough Heading to a 5-Decade High
- Whooping Cough Vaccine May Not Give Long-Term Protection
- Pregnant Women to Get Pertussis Vaccine
- Whooping Cough Vaccine: Booster Shots Advised
- Whooping Cough Epidemic
- Whooping Cough Epidemic Hits California
- Unvaccinated Kids Getting Whooping Cough
Whooping Cough (Pertussis) Topic Guide - Visuals
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Slideshow
Whooping Cough (Pertussis) Topic Guide - Medications and Vitamins
Medications:
Diphtheria, Tetanus, Acellular Pertussis Vaccine (DTaP)Diphtheria, tetanus, and pertussis are serious diseases caused by bacteria...learn more »
Tetanus, Diphtheria, Acellular Pertussis Vaccine (Tdap)Tetanus, diphtheria, and pertussis are serious diseases caused by bacteria...learn more »
Diphtheria, Hepatitis B, Pertussis (acellular), Polio, And Tetanus VaccineDiphtheria, pertussis, and tetanus are serious diseases caused by bacteria. Diphtheria causes a thick coating in the nose, throat, and airways. It ca...learn more »
Diphtheria, Pertussis Acellular, Tetanus, And PolioDiphtheria, pertussis acellular, polio, and tetanus are serious diseases caused by bacteria or virus...learn more »
Diphtheria, Haemophilus, Pertussis, Tetanus, And PolioDiphtheria, haemophilus influenzae type B, pertussis, polio, and tetanus are serious diseases caused by bacteria or virus...learn more »
Sulfamethoxazole And TrimethoprimSulfamethoxazole and trimethoprim is a combination antibiotic used to treat ear infections, urinary tract infections, bronchitis, traveler's diarrhea, shigel...learn more »
ClarithromycinClarithromycin is an antibiotic that is used to treat many different types of bacterial infections affecting the skin and respiratory system.
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AzithromycinAzithromycin is used to treat many different types of infections caused by bacteria, including infections of the lungs, sinus, throat, tonsils, skin, urinary...learn more »
ErythromycinErythromycin is an antibiotic that is used to treat or prevent many different types of infections caused by bacteria...learn more »
Whooping Cough (Pertussis) Topic Guide – Related Topics
Related Topics:
Wilderness: Ear Infection
An infection of the ear can be the ear canal (otitis externa), the eardrum, or the middle mear (otitis media). Symptoms of an ear infection include ear pain, he...learn more »
Rectal Prolapse
Rectal prolapse occurs when the rectum, which is usually secured to the pelvis with tissues, ligaments, and muscles, becomes somewhat detached from the pelvis. ...learn more »
Nosebleeds
Nosebleeds, medical term epistaxis, can be caused by an object stuck inside of the nose; infection of the sinuses or upper respiratory tract; hay fever; dry, ho...learn more »
Bacterial Pneumonia
Bacterial pneumonia is an infection of the lungs. People with pneumonia usually experience coughing, fever, shortness of breath, and chest pain. Pneumonia is a ...learn more »