Pertussis
A very contagious respiratory infection caused by Bordetella pertussis bacteria.
Symptoms:
- Tiredness
- Lack of appetite
- Runny nose
- Streaming eyes and a short dry cough that usually occurs at night.
- Later your child begins to cough on the out breath and, on the intake of breath, makes a whooping sound (which is why it is also knoen as whooping cough).
- The coughing may then lead to vomiting.
Seriousness:
- Take your child to a doctor as soon as you suspect whooping cough, as an antibiotic can abort and reduce the severity of this disease, which can last up to three months.
Treatment:
- Give your child soft food and plenty of water.
- You may halt an attack of coughing by slapping your child gently on the back.
- You will need to take turns looking after a child with whooping cough at night, as it will exhaust you.