Symptoms of whooping cough

The incubation period of whooping cough is from 3 to 15 days, on average 5-8 days. Symptoms of whooping cough are different, so during the course of the disease three periods can be distinguished: catarrhal, spasmodic and resolution period. The course of whooping cough is slow, cyclical.

Catarrhal period of whooping cough

The disease whooping cough begins gradually. A dry cough appears, sometimes a slight increase in body temperature and a slight runny nose. The general condition of the child is usually not disturbed. During examination, no objective changes are found. Over the course of 1-2 weeks, the cough gradually intensifies, becomes obsessive and then paroxysmal. The duration of the catarrhal period is about 2 weeks. In severe cases, especially in infants, it is shortened to 5-7 days.

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Spasmodic period of whooping cough

The transition of the disease to the next, spasmodic, period of whooping cough is accompanied by the appearance of well-defined attacks of spasmodic cough, a series of coughing impulses, quickly following one another on exhalation. Following the coughing impulses, there is an inhalation, accompanied by a whistling sound (reprise) due to the spasmodic narrowing of the glottis, then coughing impulses on exhalation and a whistling inhalation follow again, etc.

Whooping cough, the symptoms of which are manifested by a child's red face, cyanosis, swelling of the veins of the neck, watery eyes (as if they are filled with blood), stretching the head forward, sticking out the tongue to the limit (in this case, the frenulum of the tongue is injured by the lower incisors, as a result of which, in children with teeth, an ulcer may occur on the frenulum of the tongue) indicate a spasmodic cough. In severe cases, during an attack, there are nosebleeds, hemorrhages in the sclera, apnea, involuntary urination and defecation. Coughing attacks end with the release of viscous sputum and vomiting.

Peripheral blood changes in whooping cough include leukocytosis (up to 15-40x10 ⁹ /l), monocytosis (up to 60-80%); ESR is normal or slightly reduced. The most pronounced blood changes appear in the spasmodic period.

Pertussis resolution period

The duration of the spasmodic period of whooping cough is from 2 to 4 weeks. Then the coughing fits gradually weaken, and the resolution period begins, during which the coughing fits become less frequent, the reprises disappear, and sputum is easier to separate. During this period, the cough becomes normal. The total duration of this period is from 1.5 to 2-3 months. However, often during the resolution period or even after the complete disappearance of the cough, spasmodic coughing fits reappear due to the addition of ARVI. These fits can be explained by the excitation focus in the medulla oblongata.

Complications of whooping cough

Complications of whooping cough may be related to the underlying disease or may arise as a result of autoinfection and superinfection. Complications that arise due to the underlying disease include CNS lesions manifested by encephalopathy, seizures or meningism, pneumothorax, subcutaneous and mediastinal emphysema, umbilical or inguinal hernia, nosebleeds, hemorrhages on the skin and in the conjunctiva. Due to the blockage of the bronchial lumen with thick, viscous sputum, segmental and lobar atelectasis in the lungs, as well as emphysema, easily occur.

Symptoms of whooping cough in vaccinated children usually occur in an atypical, latent form, without spasmodic cough. At the same time, a slight, uncharacteristic, but prolonged coughing is noted (up to 5-7 weeks). There are no complications. Hematological changes typical for whooping cough (leukocytosis and lymphocytosis) are rare.

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