Known as whooping cough or whooping cough, this respiratory infection, caused by the bacteria Bordetella pertussisis easily transmitted and tends to be confused, at first, with a common cold. However, if not treated properly, it can cause complications in patients.
It was through a statement that the Ministry of Health, through the Departmental Directorate of Education of Suchitepéquez, declared an epidemiological alert at the departmental level in the face of six suspected cases.
Internist Estuardo Rojas highlights that whooping cough is an infectious respiratory disease caused by Bordetella pertussiswhich mainly affects unvaccinated people.
For his part, Dr. Edgar Beltetón, pediatric intensivist, shares: “Whooping cough causes severe inflammation in the respiratory tract, very different from that which usually responds to the usual treatment with steroids,” explained the specialist.
The bacteria affects the cilia of the bronchi—structures responsible for moving air into the lungs—causing spasms, difficulty breathing, and even loss of consciousness. In the most severe cases, patients may suffer from cyanosis or apnea attacks, especially if they are less than six months old, Beltetón added.
The World Health Organization points out that this bacteria resides in the mouth, nose and throat of an infected person. Although it mainly affects unvaccinated children, it can also infect adults when immunity decreases, adds Rojas.
Symptoms usually appear seven to 10 days after infection, and can last up to 21 days, according to the Pan American Health Organization.
Stages and symptoms
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The disease has two phases. In the first, the symptoms are similar to those of a common cold: congestion, runny nose, mild fever and general malaise. However, in the second phase, cough paroxysms occur: intense, continuous and violent attacks that can last several weeks, highlights Rojas.
These episodes, in addition to affecting the patient’s daily life, can lead to serious complications:
- Hypoxemia (decreased oxygen in the blood).
- Subconjunctival hemorrhages due to high pressure in the eyes.
- Rib fractures due to the force of coughing attacks.
- Hemorrhoids due to increased intra-abdominal pressure.
- Syncope or fainting due to lack of oxygen to the brain.
Prevention and treatment
The main form of prevention is vaccination. If children are protected, outbreaks and, therefore, the possibility of contagion between adults are significantly reduced. The internist recalled that outbreaks in children usually affect the entire family, so keeping the vaccination schedule updated is key.
According to Dr. Beltetón, children under six months old are the most vulnerable, since they have not yet completed their immunization schedule. Therefore, it is recommended to vaccinate pregnant mothers between 20 and 34 weeks of gestation. “This scheme protects both the mother and the newborn during the first weeks of life, before they can receive their own dose,” he indicated.
The pediatrician explained that the vaccination schedule against whooping cough includes applications at two, four and six months of age, with boosters at 18 months and four years. However, he also emphasized that recent outbreaks have originated at school age, making returning to school a key moment to reinforce prevention.
Regarding treatment, antibiotics from the macrolide group are administered. Rojas stressed that, to prevent self-medication, the name of the medication is not provided, but insisted that it is necessary to go to a specialist.
The internist warns that, in some cases, patients require bronchodilators through inhalers or nebulizations to relieve symptoms associated with bronchospasm.
Rojas concluded that, although whooping cough is preventable, its effects can be serious if not treated properly. Therefore, he urged the population to go to the doctor if there are persistent symptoms and avoid the use of medications without a professional diagnosis.
Beltetón added that treatment may include antibiotics such as azithromycin. However, although these eliminate the bacteria, symptoms—especially choking cough—can persist for weeks, which can lead to serious complications, such as brain hemorrhage due to lack of oxygenation. Therefore, it is not recommended to self-medicate without consulting a professional.
Warning symptoms of a possible case of whooping cough
The main warning sign is a persistent cough that does not improve, even after using natural remedies or over-the-counter cough suppressants. When the person has continuous bouts of coughing—repetitive, intense coughing, without pause—and begins to experience difficulty breathing, they should consult a doctor immediately, warns Estuardo Rojas.
Other symptoms that indicate serious complications are: severe pain in the rib area (possible fracture), subconjunctival hemorrhage (bleeding in the eyes), or loss of consciousness during coughing episodes. These signs may be a direct consequence of the intensity of the attacks, he added.
Although whooping cough is more common in childhood, it can also occur in adolescents and young or older adults, between 15 and 50 years old.
Additional prevention
Beltetón also called for strengthening prevention through the “encapullo” strategy, which consists of vaccinating the newborn’s close companions, including parents, caregivers and grandparents, not only against whooping cough, but also against influenza. This practice, recommended in several countries, significantly reduces the risk of contagion in the first months of life.
Finally, the pediatrician urged the population to trust science and not be influenced by false information about vaccines. “These vaccines are safe and are within the country’s official immunization scheme. The diseases that reappear today are not new, but old and preventable. Therefore, education and consultation with a trusted doctor are essential,” he concluded.
