Page 33 - (DK) Home Doctor: Providing practical advice on home treatments

COMMON CONDITIONS: INFECTIOUS DISEASES 31

Pertussis

Pertussis (whooping cough) is a severe bacterial infection that was
WARNING
common in children before immunization. Your child may be
feverish and have cold symptoms 7–21 days after contact. Then Seek immediate medical help if:
spasms of coughing develop with a typical high-pitched “whoop” ● Your child becomes drowsy, has
seizures, or is choking
as the child breathes in. Coughing is usually worse at night and ● Your child has breathing problems,
may trigger vomiting. The illness can be serious in small babies. or his or her lips or tongue turn
blue during a coughing spasm
See also Coughing, p.102; Croup, p.138.

See your doctor first
DRUG REMEDIES
Arrange to see your doctor immediately if
you suspect that your child has pertussis. Analgesics will help reduce discomfort
and bring down a fever. Give acetaminophen
(see p.177), available as liquid medicine or
What you can do yourself chewable pills, or ibuprofen (see p.185),
available as liquid medicine. Make sure
Pertussis can be distressing, so follow these steps you ask your pharmacist to
to make your child more comfortable. recommend an appropriate
product for your child.
● Be calm and reassuring. If your child is having
trouble sleeping, try to share the care at night. Acetaminophen
You can give
● Offer plenty of clear fluids. Try honey and lemon
medicine containing
(see NATURAL REMEDIES, opposite page), but don’t
acetaminophen to a
give honey to babies under 1 year.
child over 2 years old.
● Give your child an analgesic (see DRUG REMEDIES,
right) to reduce fever and discomfort. Don’t use
cough medicines – they will not help.
PRACTICAL TECHNIQUE
● Humidifying the room (see PRACTICAL TECHNIQUE,
right) may help ease the cough. Humidifying air in a room will soothe your
child’s air passages and help loosen mucus. Use one
● Offering your child soft, easy-to-swallow food
of the following methods.
in small portions will help prevent vomiting.
● Place a humidifier by the child’s bed, or hang a wet
● Keep your home free of irritants such as tobacco
towel close to a radiator.
smoke and aerosol sprays. ● Sit with your child in the bathroom and run hot
water in the bath or shower to create steam.
Seek further medical advice
Arrange to see your doctor: PREVENTION
● If your child’s condition deteriorates
An effective vaccine that protects
● To check that your child is fit to return
against pertussis is included in the childhood
to school; he or she may have coughing immunization series. Make sure your child is
fits for several months after the illness
immunized according to the recommended schedule.