Pertussis, Bordetella pertussis, Paroxysmal cough.
Root Cause of Disease
Whooping cough is caused by a type of bacteria called Bordetella pertussis. When an infected person coughs or sneezes, tiny germ-laden droplets are sprayed into the air and breathed into the lungs of anyone who happens to be nearby.
Symptoms
Signs and symptoms appear, though it can sometimes take longer. They’re usually mild at first and resemble those of a common cold:
- Runny nose
- Nasal congestion
- Red, watery eyes
- Fever
- Cough
After a week or two, signs and symptoms worsen. Thick mucus accumulates inside your airways, causing uncontrollable coughing. Severe and prolonged coughing attacks may:
- Provoke vomiting
- Result in a red or blue face
- Cause extreme fatigue
- End with a high-pitched “whoop” sound during the next breath of air.
Causes
- A type of bacteria called Bordetella pertussis causes whooping cough. The condition starts when the bacteria enter your respiratory system.
- They attach to the tiny, hair-like extensions (cilia) on the lining of your respiratory tract. Then, they release poisons (toxins), which damage your cilia and cause your airways to swell.
- This swelling causes the secretions of your mucus to increase, which causes severe coughing.
- Whooping cough is easily spread through the air when an infected person sneezes, coughs, laughs, or even talks near another.
- Sharing the same household with an infected person and not being vaccinated against whooping cough are the biggest risk factors for becoming infected.
- Children and adults in the same home who have not received the vaccinations for whooping cough are 80 to 100 percent likely to be infected with exposure.
- A whooping cough infection can occur any time of the year, but tends to surge in the summer and fall months. If there’s an outbreak in your community, it’s important to be vigilant about early signs and symptoms of whooping cough.
Home Remedies To Treat Whooping Cough
Remedy – 1: Turmeric
Materials : Turmeric
Turmeric has antiviral, antibacterial, and anti-inflammatory properties, mainly because it contains a yellow pigment called curcumin. This is why turmeric is effective in treating whooping cough, shortness of breath and other respiratory problems. Having a paste made of raw turmeric mixed with water early in the morning may help in reducing inflammation and other symptoms of cough. You can also mix a teaspoon of turmeric powder in a glass of hot milk and consume it twice daily.
Product Link: Turmeric
Remedy – 2: Garlic
Materials : Garlic
Garlic Allicin is the main active ingredient in Garlic, which not only gives garlic cloves their smell and taste but also makes them potent against colds, coughs and the flu. This is because allicin has antimicrobial and anti-inflammatory properties, and is a strong decongestant. Chewing on a whole garlic clove every morning has the potential to keep coughs away. Consuming minced garlic cloves mixed with a little honey if and when you have the whooping cough is also effective.
Remedy – 3: Ginger
Materials : Ginger
Ginger not only boosts the immune system but is also effective against whooping cough. It’s packed with antimicrobial, antiviral and antibacterial properties, and is known to prevent inflammation. Gingerol, an active compound in fresh ginger, is a natural expectorant. Expectorants help in clearing out the mucus in the airways and lungs. Having ginger tea or chewing on fresh ginger stick can relieve the symptoms of whooping cough, consuming too much ginger can cause indigestion and heartburn.
Product Link: Ginger Tea
Remedy -4: Lemon
Materials : Lemon
Lemon is an effective home remedy for whooping cough. It has citric acid that can reduce the thickness of the mucus. Also, it has antiviral and antibacterial properties, which can help you to fight against this infection. Also, it has Vitamin C, which can boost the immune system.
Procedure:
In a glass of warm water, you should add one tablespoon of freshly extracted lemon juice, and you should add a small amount of honey to it. You should drink this home remedy several times per day over a period of a few days.
Also, there is another option that you can use as your natural treatment for whooping cough. You should take ½ lemon and sprinkle pepper and salt over it. You should slowly lick the lemon to soothe your irritated throat.
Remedy -5: Honey
Materials : Honey
Raw honey is also a very effective home remedy for whooping cough. It has healing, antibacterial and antiseptic properties, which can kill the bacteria that are causing the infection and also it is easing the symptoms.
Procedure:
In a glass of warm water, you should add one tablespoon of raw honey, and you should drink it slowly. You should repeat this natural treatment a few times per day. This natural cure will have a soothing effect on your throat. You should eat ½ teaspoon of cinnamon powder mixed with one teaspoon of raw honey before you go to bed. This will help you to have a better sleep.
Also, there is a third option that you can make from the honey. You should mix one teaspoon of freshly extracted radish juice with one teaspoon of honey. You should add some rock salt to it ,
Preventions
The best way to prevent whooping cough is with the pertussis vaccine, which doctors often give in combination with vaccines against two other serious diseases — diphtheria and tetanus. Doctors recommend beginning vaccination during infancy. Vaccine side effects. Side effects of the vaccine are usually mild and may include a fever, crankiness, headache, fatigue or soreness at the site of the injection.
