What does whooping cough sound like in adults

However, each person may experience symptoms differently. Infants younger than age 6 months may not have a classic whooping cough, or it may be difficult to hear. Instead of coughing, infants may have a pause in their breathing, called apnea, which is very serious. You should consult your health care provider or call if you observe pauses in breathing.

Symptoms of whooping cough may include:. Coughing, violently and rapidly, until all the air has left the lungs and a person is forced to inhale, causing a "whooping" sound. The symptoms of whooping cough may look like other medical conditions. Always consult your health care provider for a diagnosis. In addition to a complete medical history and physical exam, diagnosis of whooping cough is often confirmed with a culture taken from the nose.

Antibiotics are typically given within 3 weeks of the onset of cough in babies over age 1 year, and within 6 weeks of the onset of cough in infants younger than 1 year. Antibiotics are also given to pregnant women within 6 weeks of the onset of cough. Antibiotics help to prevent the spread of infection after 5 days of treatment.

Other treatment may include:. Although a vaccine has been developed against whooping cough, which is routinely given to children in their first year of life, cases of the disease still occur, especially in infants younger than age 6 months. Since the s, a dramatic increase in the number of cases of pertussis has occurred, especially in children and teenagers, ages 10 to 19, and in babies younger than age 6 months.

This is because the decline in vaccination in some communities. I had whooping cough and I had a severe case as an adult. I called the Haelth Dept and asked if I might have whooping cough and they scoffed at me and said no one gets it anymore that was in I called my doctor and he said I just had a cold. I would have severe attacks at night when I would sit straight up and cough violently hardly able to get my breath.

I would vomit clear phlegm. It took me over two years to stop having asthma attacks. As I get older I have been having less confidence in our health community. If you think you may have a disease persist until you get an answer.

I suffered because of whooping cough in my childhood. It has now became a serious issue for both childrens and adults. Proper medical instructions should be followed instead of prevent the risk of whooping cough.

My Dr. A whooping couph should do away from all foods which produce phlegm like milk, ghee, sweets, rice, refined flour products, sugar and lentils. His diet should consist of oranges, musk melon, tomatoes and rasberry. Vegetables like spinch, cabbage, gourds, should be taken in a boiled form without addition of any condiments. Wholemeal bread and roasted potatoes could also be given. The patient of pertussis should be encouraged to fast for a couple of days with the onset of the symptoms of whooping cough.

The fasting period should be followed by a week of living on oranges only. I left for Europe coughing…coughed for the whole week I was there.

I was put on antibiotics when I returned but later found I had developed pneumonia in my left lung. I wish I had known about the vaccine. I had thought that a bout of whooping cough as a child had protected me. It does but only for a few years. My next vaccine is for shingles. After struggling through these last three weeks of constantly coughing..

I am going to be more prepared. I am a 54yr old medical receptionist. My cough has caused me many sleepless nights and total fatigue. After being on Doxycillian and Rulide over a period of 6weeks the penny finally dropped.

I watched a current affair program and it all made sense. I was treated for sinus. I did have a consistant heavy trickle running down the back of my throat. Nightime was the worse often trying to sleep in an upright position.

I continued to work unaware of my prognosis. I had a Booster for same in June, being in the medical profession. I still have a cough especially after say 6pm and am still fatigued but feeling much better. How ill would I have become if I had not had the Booster for same? I have felt unwell for over 2mnths. Never ignore your body telling you something!!

I was just diagnosed with pertussis. It started off as a dry cough, then prgressed to my sinuses and now I am wheezing and coughing uncontrollably. I was misdiagnosed three times and put on three different antibiotics. I finally got the blood work confirmed today. This content does not have an English version. This content does not have an Arabic version. Overview Whooping cough pertussis is a highly contagious respiratory tract infection.

Request an Appointment at Mayo Clinic. Share on: Facebook Twitter. Show references Pertussis frequently asked questions. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Accessed Nov. Kasper DL, et al. Pertussis and other Bordatella infections.

In: Harrison's Principles of Internal Medicine. New York, N. Cornia P, et al. Pertussis infection in adolescents and adults: Clinical manifestations and diagnosis. Yeh S. Pertussis infection in infants and children: Clinical features and diagnosis. Pertussis infection in infants and children: Treatment and prevention. Tdap Tetanus, Diphtheria, Pertussis vaccine information statements.