Whooping Cough:Avoid it We Tell You How

Whooping cough or Pertussis is a respiratory infection, which is serious in nature the reason for this infection is a bacteria known as Bordetella pertussis which results in coughing. Due to regular coughing it makes it difficult to breathe, it is stated serious here in this article because kids below 0 to 2 years or more are prone to death due to this disease.

Incubation period in this whooping cough is about 5 to 10 days but sometime this time delays for 20 to 22 days .This disease is dangerous for kids, infant and young children, all can be affected by this problem.

A whooping kind of sound is made by person who is suffering from it. When an infected person cough or sneezes ,this leads to spread of germs laden droplets into the air, which if enter into healthy person`s lungs, who happens to be near an  infected person and that person(healthy one)  also gets affected by this disease of whooping cough. That’s why it is always advised to persons who are infected by some disease, while coughing or sneezing just use a handkerchief to avoid spreading of bacteria into the air as it might infect somebody else.

Whooping Cough is Divided into 3 Stages:

First Stage

In this stage whooping cough lasts from 5 to 15 days. Person suffering from it may be highly contagious during this time so you should take precaution, so that disease should not spread.

Second Stage

Coughing  is getting worse in this stage, when patient coughs  during that his eyes get teary, breathing gets difficult, which leads to vomit and some time incubation  duration of this disease varies some time from 7 to  40 days but sometimes around 2 to 3 months.

Third Stage

This stage lasts between 15 to 20 days,this stage is more sensitive as you are prone to some other respiratory problems like common cold etc. and if this happens that you get some other disease along with this, then you have to be careful as recovery may take longer than usual.

Complications of Whooping Cough:

Kids are more prone to dangerous complications like brain damage, slowed or stopped breathing. So if kids are less than 6 months its advised to take care of them with extra precaution  as it even leads to fatal conditions and deaths in infants can also be the reason of whooping cough.

In Adult Patients

Pneumonia, rib fracture from coughing, weight loss etc. are the reasons of this problem of whooping cough.

Diagnosis of Whooping Cough:

• Physicial examination: Physician may examine you with physical tests.
• Laboratory tests: Such as taking sample of mucus from back of your throat.
• Blood test: may also be advised to you in laboratory, if required.

If you are diagnosed with whooping cough, it is advised you to take precautionary measures so that you should get well soon and others should also not get affected with this infection as it spreads through air like a wild fire, while coughing and sneezing.

Home Remedies for Whooping Cough:

1. Vitamin C

Vitamin C helps to get rid of this problem of whooping cough as it is proven that people who are having vitamin C in their daily diet. It helps them to stay away from this infection of whooping cough. Kids less than 6 months of age can get their required amount from breast milk of their mother and for children above age of 6 months vitamin C intake can be through their diet. Babies need 40mg of vitamin C and adults need 70 to 90 mg of vitamin C, daily to avoid getting whooping cough.

2. Peppermint Oil

As peppermint oil has anti bacterial and decongesting properties, which are known to be good treatment of whooping cough.

Method of using it:  Only 2 drops of peppermint oil mix it with 1 teaspoonful of coconut oil. Apply by massaging it on your head, nose, chest and back. Few drops of peppermint oil, when put it into boiling water and inhale it’s steam, it helps you in inhal easily.

3. Euclapytus Oil

This oil is proved to be best remedy in whooping cough, as it provides best results in cough and other respiratory problems like sinusitis, pharyngitis and bronchitis, as eucalyptus oil has the properties of dealing with bacteria, and hence its antioxidant and antibacterial properties helps us to fight with the problem of bacteria.

Method of using it: Put some boil water in some big bowl few drops of eucalyptus oil in it and take steam .Rub few drops of eucalyptus oil on your nose and chest before going to bed.

4. Ginger

Ginger contains the compound “gingerol” is good for respiratory problems including whooping cough, due to its capacity for eradicating the bacteria and virus.

Method of using it: Few slices of ginger with some black pepper and honey is useful remedy for whooping cough, for better results take it with some warm green tea. Twice a day is recommended or whenever you feel good you can take it.

5.Rosemary Essential Oil

It’s a plant which helps you calm the muscles of trachea, gives them soothing kind affect, as trachea the part of respiratory system just below the larynx, thus by helping in muscles of respiratory system, it helps to give relief in whooping cough.

Method of using it: You can use it simply on chest and back of your body, very beneficial for kids if rubbed warmly before bedtime.

6. Cinnamon

It is used to treat whooping cough with its antibacterial properties, not only in whooping cough it is also used to treat other ailments of respiratory system. So using cinnamon is common practice throughout the whole world and its significance in Ayurveda and herbal remedies cannot be ignored.

Method of using it:Take few grams of cinnamon powder with honey and dried ginger powder with honey, for better use you can mix them together and this can be taken with warm green tea twice a day for more than 10 to 15 days or till the problem persists. If taken daily without any break it will give you good results, as its uses are already proven by medical practitioners and health professionals worldwide.