Pertussis is a serious respiratory infectious disease that usually occurs in children. Sometimes the onset is very sudden, and the symptoms are quite obvious. Breathing is sometimes difficult, and it usually takes some time to recover. However, vaccines are now available, and generally after vaccination, people will not get sick. Below are some symptoms and prevention methods of pertussis.
1、 Is pertussis considered severe
1. The prodromal period from onset to paroxysmal spasmodic cough usually lasts for 7-10 days. At first, there was coughing and sneezing, accompanied by low-grade fever for about 3 days. Later, the cough gradually worsened, often mild during the day and heavy at night.
2. During the spasmodic cough period, there are obvious paroxysmal and spasmodic coughs, which generally last for 2-6 weeks and can also last for more than 2 months. The characteristic of spasmodic cough is a series of continuous spasmodic coughs, accompanied by a deep and long inhalation. At this time, due to a large amount of rapid air passing through the spasming glottis, a special high pitched chicken crow like inspiratory roar is emitted, commonly known as "hooked". Then there was another spasm cough, repeated multiple times, until a large amount of viscous sputum was coughed up, often accompanied by vomiting.
3. During spasms and coughs, children often have red faces, cyanotic lips, protruding tongue, anxious expression, swollen jugular vein, and bent body. Due to severe coughing, it can cause facial and eyelid swelling, conjunctival bleeding, nosebleeds, and in severe cases, intracranial bleeding and spasms increase with the progression of the disease. It can be triggered by eating, crying, catching a cold, smoke and dust stimulation, emotional excitement, etc.
4. During the recovery period, spasms and coughs are relieved, and the "rebound" disappears until the cough stops, which takes about 2-3 weeks. Complications such as pneumonia and atelectasis can persist for several months without recovery.
2、 Complications of pertussis
1. Pneumonia: mostly secondary pulmonary infection. Spasmodic cough can be relieved, and the child may experience high fever, shortness of breath, cyanosis, and pulmonary rales. Other conditions may include atelectasis, emphysema, and bronchiectasis. The original pulmonary tuberculosis patients suffering from this disease again can promote the activity of tuberculosis lesions.
2. Encephalitis: More common in infants. Vomiting, consciousness disorders, seizures, etc., and cerebrospinal fluid mostly remain unchanged. Pertussis encephalopathy is the most serious complication of this disease. The incidence rate is about 2-3%. Severe spasms and coughs can cause cerebral hypoxia, edema, vascular spasm, or bleeding. Manifested as convulsions or recurrent convulsions, high fever, and coma. After recovery, there may be neurological sequelae such as hemiplegia.
The above is about how to prevent pertussis. This disease is still very deadly when there is no vaccine, so the onset is very sudden. Generally, vaccination is administered, and the disease is basically controlled. Moreover, complications can also cause respiratory diseases such as pneumonia. Antibiotics are usually used for treatment, but it is rare to get sick now.
