Whooping Cough or Pertussis is a contagious respiratory illness affecting primarily the lungs and airways. It is brought on by a bacteria called Bordetella pertussis. It's characterised by violent coughing which can turn so serious that it makes it difficult to eat, drink or even breathe. A person with Whooping Cough often has to take deep breaths that produce a whooping sound after fits of many rapid coughs.
Whooping Cough can affect anyone but is especially dangerous in babies and young children. It begins with similar symptoms of a cold, like a runny nose, a gentle cough and a mild fever. During the course of 1 to 2 weeks, the cough gets worse and may bring nausea, exhaustion, and a red or blue face due to the cough.
Stopping Whooping Cough is best accomplished through vaccination. But immunity from the vaccine wears off over time and booster shots are recommended for continued protection.
Whooping Cough (Pertussis) is brought on by the bacterium Bordetella pertussis. This condition is infectious and spreads from person to person. Understanding Whooping Cough causes may help prevent its spread and protect the people who are most vulnerable to this condition.
The common causes and ways of propagation of Whooping Cough are:
Close Contact: Whooping Cough propagates most easily via contact with an infected person. Whenever a person with the condition coughs or sneezes, they release droplets that contain the bacteria into the air. Breathing in these droplets may infect others.
Airborne Droplets: When an infected individual laughs, coughs or sneezes, tiny droplets with the bacteria are pushed into the air. People nearby can breathe in these droplets and become infected.
Touching Contaminated Surfaces: At times Whooping Cough spreads by coming in contact with an object with the bacteria on it, like a toy or a doorknob, and then touching your face, particularly your mouth or nose.
Lack of Vaccination: Not getting vaccinated is a major risk factor. The Whooping Cough vaccine (DTaP vaccine for kids & Tdap booster for teens & adults) is vital for its prevention.
Faded Immunity: Immunity may decrease over time even if someone was vaccinated. This fading immunity can make adolescents and adults susceptible to infection, thus booster shots are recommended.
Young Age: Infants too young to have received the entire program of vaccinations are at greater risk of Whooping Cough. They usually catch it from older siblings or adults around them who do not know they have the bacteria.
Whooping Cough is a major respiratory infection which starts off as a gentle cold but can result in intense coughing fits. Recognising the signs and symptoms early may facilitate timely treatment and prevention of its spread.
The signs and symptoms of Whooping Cough are:
At first Whooping Cough may just be like a mild cold. This includes symptoms like a running nose, mild fever, nasal congestion and mild cough.
The cough gets more intense and uncontrollable after one or two weeks. These coughing fits are severe and could keep going for a minute or more and result in breathing trouble.
Most characteristic is a high pitched "whoop" when inhaling air after a coughing fit. But not all will produce this sound; it is most prevalent in children.
The severity of the coughing may cause vomiting after coughing fits.
The frequent and vigorous coughing can make you feel very tired.
Oxygen deprivation can make the face turn red or blue during severe coughing fits.
Young infants may not cough normally but may experience Apnea, a brief interruption of breathing during coughing fits.
The coughing may last 10 weeks or even more, causing a scenario known as called the 100-day cough.
Jiva Ayurveda offers holistic Ayurvedic treatment of Whooping Cough by combining time-tested Ayurvedic scientific knowledge with modern technology and medical advancements. The treatment plans are customised to target the very root causes of the disease, and instead of just treating symptoms, they focus on holistic healing, balance and stability in totality.
Personalised Ayurvedic Medicines: Specially prepared herbal formulas designed to balance the doshas and help with mood stabilisation.
Yoga, Meditation & Mindfulness: Relaxing techniques aimed at improving mental health and overall well-being of the individual.
Ayurvedic Therapies: Treatments like Panchakarma and massages that help in detoxifying the body and balancing emotional health.
Changes In Diet & Lifestyle: Expert advice on adjusting your diet and lifestyle to achieve optimal health outcomes.
Ayurveda provides several natural cures for Whooping Cough. These herbal treatments stimulate the immune system and clear the respiratory tract to reduce symptoms and promote healing. Following are some Ayurvedic medicinal herbs commonly used for Whooping Cough:
Honey (Shahad): Honey is an antibiotic and cough suppressant, which soothes irritated throat tissues and can ease coughing fits. It's mild enough for kids and may be taken alone or even combined with other herbal remedies with hot water.
Tulsi (Basil): Tulsi has antiviral and antibacterial properties and is utilised to combat Whooping Cough. Tulsi tea or chewing fresh Tulsi leaves may ease symptoms.
Adrak (Ginger): Ginger helps with throat irritation and coughing. Ginger juice can be combined with honey for soothing and cough-suppressing properties.
Pippali (Long Pepper): Pippali is traditionally used for respiratory infections as it is a rejuvenative and decongestant herb. It decreases mucus production and soothes the airways.
Vasa (Malabar Nut): Vasa is an expectorant that helps clear Phlegm from the respiratory tract and is especially useful for controlling the coughing fits caused by Whooping Cough.
Garlic (Lahsun): Garlic has antibacterial properties and fights the infection. Raw garlic can ease respiratory symptoms when eaten or infused into tea.
The period of incubation of Whooping Cough ranges from seven to ten days following contact with the Bordetella Pertussis bacteria.
Yes, in adults and those vaccinated, Whooping Cough is asymptomatic or sometimes produces only mild symptoms like a common cold.
Yes, Whooping Cough is contagious during incubation and even before onset of severe symptoms.
A person with Whooping Cough is most contagious early in the course of illness, typically from the first cough to about 3 weeks after they start coughing.
Yes, because immunity to Whooping Cough decreases as we grow older, an individual can become infected more than once throughout their life.
Ayurveda suggests warm, cooked foods that are easy to digest and to avoid cold and raw foods that cause irritation of throat and airways.
Yes, stress can lower the immune system and exacerbate Whooping Cough symptoms, slowing recovery.
Gentle yoga poses that open the chest (such as backbends) improve breathing and release mucus from the respiratory tract.
Yes, Whooping Cough coughing fits are often more severe at night and disrupt sleep.
Yes, herbal teas containing ginger, tulsi and licorice can ease sore throats, ease coughing fits and improve immunity.
Improvement signs include fewer coughing fits and their severity, better sleep and regained energy.
Yes, strenuous activities and exercise are best avoided as they can trigger coughing fits and worsen the condition. Rest until symptoms improve.
