The number of cases of whooping cough has been rising in several countries like China, the Netherlands and Czech Republic.
About Whooping Cough:
It is a highly contagious infection which impacts the respiratory tract and is caused by Bordetella pertussis bacteria.It is particularly severe in infants and in case of complications may lead to pneumonia and even death.
How does whooping cough spread?
A person catches this bacteria via droplets when an infected person coughs or sneezes.
It attaches itself to the throat lining and then produces toxins which damage hair-like projections which clear debris and mucus.
This leads to inflammation in the airways and causes severe coughing fits.
Symptoms
It begins with cold-like symptoms accompanied with low-grade fever. As it progresses, coughs get accompanied with a "whooping" sound and these spells may last for a while leading to vomiting.
Sleep apnea in children.
Treatment: Diphtheria, tetanus and pertussis (DTaP) vaccines.
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