Patient's question:
The child caught a cold while showering. They bought many cold medicines and anti-inflammatory drugs, but they didn't work, and the child kept coughing. The family is very worried. What are the symptoms and treatments for whooping cough?Doctor's answer:
Children with whooping cough may have mild coughing, runny nose, nasal congestion, or slight fever, similar to a cold. After 2-3 days, the cough becomes increasingly severe, especially at night, and gradually develops into paroxysmal coughing. Whooping cough has a very distinctive cough—once it starts, it can produce dozens of sounds in succession. When the coughing subsides, there is a prolonged, harsh sound like a rooster crowing. Additionally, during coughing, the face may turn red or purple, and runny nose and tears may occur, which can also lead to difficult breathing and dry retching. In severe cases, the capillaries in the trachea may rupture, causing blood in the stool. Complete recovery from the illness typically takes 2-3 months. Antibiotics can be used at a daily dose of 5-10 mg/kg, taken orally twice a day, for a course of 7-10 days. It can also be self-limiting.