Find out what whooping cough is and why the disease is seeing a strong resurgence in Brazil
Whooping cough, also known as whooping cough, is a highly contagious respiratory disease caused by the bacterium Bordetella pertussis. Despite being preventable through vaccination, whooping cough has seen a worrying increase in the number of cases in Brazil, especially among children.
What is whooping cough?
Whooping cough is characterized by intense coughing attacks that can last several minutes, followed by difficulty breathing. In severe cases, coughing can lead to vomiting, nosebleeds, and even fainting. The disease is most severe in infants and young children and can lead to pneumonia and other serious complications.
Symptoms of whooping cough
The symptoms of whooping cough develop in three distinct phases.
Three stages of whooping cough
- Catarrhal phase:
It lasts 1 to 2 weeks and has symptoms similar to a common cold, including:
- Rhinorrhea
- Dry cough
- Mild fever
- Paroxysmal phase:
It can last from 4 to 8 weeks and is characterized by intense coughing attacks:
- The cough is dry, spasmodic and may end with a high-pitched sound similar to the crowing of a rooster (hence the name “whooping cough”).
- Coughing attacks may be followed by vomiting, nosebleeds and fainting.
- Breathing may become difficult during attacks.
- Resolution phase:
It lasts 1 to 3 weeks and the symptoms gradually remit:
- The cough becomes less frequent and less intense.
- Breathing returns to normal.
Why has whooping cough appeared again in Brazil?
Several factors contribute to the reemergence of whooping cough in Brazil. The first of these is decreasing vaccination rates; Pertussis vaccination coverage has decreased in recent years, especially among children under 6 months of age.
As a result, there is a greater number of people susceptible to the disease. Additionally, Bordetella pertussis bacteria may become more resistant to antibiotics used to treat whooping cough.
Prevention and treatment of whooping cough
The main way to prevent whooping cough is vaccination. The whooping cough vaccine is part of the basic vaccination program in Brazil and should be administered to children, adolescents and adults.
Importance of vaccination:
- The vaccine is highly effective in preventing whooping cough.
- In addition to protecting the vaccinated person, vaccination also helps protect newborns and other people who cannot be vaccinated, such as newborns and immunosuppressed people.
Other preventive measures
In addition to the vaccine, frequent hand washing, covering your mouth and nose when you cough or sneeze, and avoiding contact with sick people are other measures to prevent whooping cough.
Remember: whooping cough is a serious disease, but it can be prevented by vaccination. If you have questions about whooping cough, talk to your doctor.
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Source: Terra
Ben Stock is a lifestyle journalist and author at Gossipify. He writes about topics such as health, wellness, travel, food and home decor. He provides practical advice and inspiration to improve well-being, keeps readers up to date with latest lifestyle news and trends, known for his engaging writing style, in-depth analysis and unique perspectives.
