Got a tickle in your throat? A rough cough keeping you up at night? Your nose won’t stop running? If these symptoms sound familiar you or someone you know may be experiencing a respiratory infection. Here are symptoms for respiratory disease that’s seeing an uptick across the world.
Pertussis, commonly known as the Whooping Cough, is an infection of the respiratory system caused by Bordetella pertussis bacteria. The disease mainly infects babies younger than 6 months who aren’t fully protected by vaccinations. However, those ages 11-18 whose immunity has worn off can be another group impacted by the disease.
The first symptoms of the whooping cough are similar to that of a common cold including a running nose, sneezing, a mild cough, and a low grade fever. 1-2 weeks after these symptoms first onset the mild cough will turn into a coughing fit that often leaves one winded, possibly red or purple in the face, or making a distinct ‘whooping’ noise.
Adults and teens may experience much milder symptoms such as a persistent cough (rather than spells) and many do not express the characteristic ‘whooping’ sound.
Cold symptoms can last 1 to 2 weeks and then be followed up by 3 months of severe cough.
Doctors tend to prescribe antibiotics for treatment though it is best to try and catch the disease before the coughing spells set in. Call your doctor if you believe you may be experiencing symptoms of the whooping cough.
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