Patient's question:
My baby has been coughing frequently recently. I took him to the hospital for a thorough check-up, and the doctor said it's whooping cough. Now that he needs to go back to school, I wanted to ask if whooping cough is contagious?Doctor's answer:
Pertussis is a common childhood infectious disease. It is more common in children aged 1 to 6. Without complications, it usually resolves on its own, providing more lasting immunity. A person rarely gets pertussis twice in their lifetime. Children with pertussis, in addition to timely treatment, should also avoid closing doors and breathing difficulties. Some parents, seeing their child cough, worry that the child has caught a cold, so they close the door tightly. In fact, this is not good. Children with pertussis, due to frequent and severe coughing, hyperventilate, making them prone to choking on water and carbon monoxide retention. They should receive more oxygen and engage in more outdoor activities to ensure fresh indoor air and keep the child as comfortable as possible. Avoid smoke and dust. If there are smokers in the household, it is best not to smoke when the child is sick, nor to smoke outdoors.