Pertussis is a clinical name that is commonly used to describe the condition of whooping cough. It is a medical condition in which a person experiences severe coughing. The duration of the cough lasts for about a couple of months but you must not wait for that long to get this condition treated as it can worsen.
An individual who suffers from whooping cough can even hurt their ribs while coughing. However, there are treatment options available that can aid in the speedy recovery of the individual without any potential side-effects and complications. The best treatment is to get pertussis vaccination in NJ.
Pertussis is basically a bacterial infection that infects the nose and throat. It is a contagious disease, but with proper vaccination, this ailment can be completely cured. Whooping cough can affect anybody. Since it is a contagious bacterial infection, children and adults can both be exposed to it. However, various studies show that 60% of the cases were those of children above the age of 11.
What are the symptoms of Pertussis?
The symptoms of whooping cough are similar to that of the common cold. The average symptoms are as follows:
- Repetitive sneezing
- Fever below 102 F
- Runny nose
- Mild cough
- Diarrhea
You might experience that the mild cough has now converted into coughing spells. If it is whooping cough, you will hear a whooping sound each time you cough. Since the cough does not produce any mucus, it is dry and might cause minor pain in the chest. The cough can last up to 1 minute.
What are the causes of Pertussis?
The condition of whooping cough is caused when an individual is infected by a bacteria known as “Bordetella Pertussis”. The bacteria infect the lungs that worsen the cough. Pertussis can last between 1-6 weeks or even more dependent on the severity.
Pertussis can be easily spread through coughing and sneezing openly. The symptoms start showing up between 5-10 days of getting exposed to the bacterial infection. It is important to take the pertussis vaccination in NJ to avoid the development of this ailment.
Severe coughing can lead to the reduction of blood’s oxygen supply in the lungs making the disease even worse. This could also lead to the development of serious conditions such as pneumonia. As soon as you notice the signs of whooping cough, make sure you consult your doctor. The easiest way of preventing pertussis is to get the pertussis vaccination in NJ. The vaccination will help you build immunity and stay protected from getting exposed to bacterial infections that cause whooping cough.
