Why don’t doctors like to diagnose it and why do people get sick after vaccinations? Recovery after whooping cough Whooping cough in patients from different age groups.

In the vaccination calendar, children under one year of age are given the DPT vaccine, which upon its administration causes the production of antibodies to certain infections. This is how vaccine immunity is formed after whooping cough and a number of other bacterial infections. But such acquired immunity does not provide a 100% guarantee against infection, so you need to know what the whooping cough bacillus is.

Whooping cough infection

Bordet-Gengou bacillus, or otherwise known as whooping cough, is a serious infectious disease caused by a small bacterium in the form of a short stick with rounded ends. This type of bacterial organism does not form spores and is very sensitive to changes in environmental conditions. To destroy it use:

Any antibacterial and disinfectants;
Ultraviolet radiation;
Heating to high temperatures;
Drying.

There are:

Whooping cough is a bacterial infection that causes a spasmodic, paroxysmal cough;
Parapertussis is an infection caused by the parapertussis bacillus, which has similar symptoms, but a milder and less complicated course.

Features of pertussis bacillus during infection:

Inhibits the nervous, immune, and respiratory systems;
Affects the vagus nerves, disrupting the function of nerve impulse transmission;
Destroys red blood cells, disrupts calcium metabolism;
Restricts blood flow to the brain;
Causing spasm of the respiratory tract, leading to respiratory arrest and suffocation.

The prevalence of infection caused by whooping cough is very high. The vaccination campaign's methodology does not reduce the number of infected people. The route of infection is direct contact with the carrier of the infection, and this can be:

A sick person with severe symptoms;
An infected person who does not have clear signs of the disease;
A carrier of infection who is healthy and asymptomatic.

As a result, the forms of infection are determined. The pertussis bacterium causes the disease mainly in two forms. The first is whooping cough, infection in which has a whole range of symptoms of the disease. The second is atypical whooping cough. It distinguishes:

Mild cough reflex, but long lasting and difficult to treat;
A complete picture of symptoms in the absence or temporary cough, which is not accompanied by attacks and spasms;
No symptoms, the pathogen is detected during examination.

The rod is transmitted through airborne droplets. The contagiousness of whooping cough ranges from the first day of illness to the twenty-fifth to thirtieth. Moreover, the incubation period is up to two weeks, on average five to seven days. Pertussis infection is highly epidemiological, since a susceptible healthy person, upon contact with an infected person, becomes infected in ninety cases out of a hundred. More than half of the disease episodes occur in children under school age. Therefore, a high epidemiological level in the area of infection development is observed for up to three to four years.

Development of infection

The pertussis bacillus enters the body through the mucous membranes of the nasal cavity and mouth. Once attached, the bacterium begins to reproduce on the ciliated epithelium, which pushes the development of:

Inflammatory process;
Inhibition of the functions of the ciliated epithelium;
Increased mucus secretion.

Then the pertussis infection penetrates the upper respiratory tract, which leads to its focal lesions and endogenous damage. Pathological changes most affect the bronchi and bronchioles. Mucopurulent blockage of the bronchial branches develops. As a result, there is a loss of airiness or collapse of part of the lung tissue, as well as pathology of the bronchial tree.

The bacterium produces a large amount of toxins that accumulate in the upper respiratory tract. Toxic substances constantly irritate the surface of organs, which leads to the development of a cough reflex accompanied by spasms. Pertussis infection can spread through the nerve centers, leading to the appearance of corresponding signs of the disease and causing post-infectious complications. In this case, the pathogen does not penetrate into the bloodstream.

Symptomatic picture

Children suffer from more severe diseases than adults and have pronounced symptoms. For adults, a mild form of the disease is more typical, without spasmodic coughing attacks. They feel quite well, but symptoms of bronchitis often appear.

Signs of the development of the disease include:

Cough that gets worse as the disease progresses. The first days are a mild, non-irritable cough, then it intensifies and takes on a paroxysmal form, accompanied by spasms;
Increase in body temperature to high values;
Running nose, with mucus secretion increasing as the disease progresses;
Pale skin;
Swelling of the face;
Decreased blood pressure;
Spasm of blood vessels leads to their swelling;
Spasms of muscle tissue of the face, torso;
Complexion ranges from bluish to purplish-red;
A rash often appears in the area of the facial and cervical skin;
The eyes have increased lacrimation, micro hemorrhages are characteristic, the eyelids are slightly swollen;
With a strong cough, the lower surface of the tongue is injured, small ulcers are formed, and rarely - a tear in the frenulum;
Expansion of the sternum is observed due to the destruction of the partitions of the pulmonary vesicles and the expansion of the bronchial branches.

The main distinguishing feature is a characteristic cough.

As the infection develops, the cough acquires distinctive features:
Wheezing is observed in different parts of the lungs before a cough attack, but is absent after;
Paroxysmal: cough pressure comes one after another during the period of one breath. During one attack, up to fifteen tremors are observed;
The attack ends with an unexpected sigh with a whistling sound;
After coughing, thick glassy sputum and mucus are released;
A coughing attack ends with a gag reflex.
The cough, accompanied by spasms, lasts about a month, then the number of attacks decreases. Over the next three weeks, the cough goes away.

Complications

Bacterial infection leads to the development of serious neurological disorders and severe damage to the respiratory system. Complications include:

Attachment of concomitant infection;
Pneumonia, rarely bilateral;
Emphysema of pulmonary tissue;
Atelectasis of bronchial branches;
Laryngitis - inflammation of the mucous membranes of the throat, resulting from stenosis or narrowing of the larynx;
Nosebleed;
Inflammation of the pleuritic leaves - pleurisy;
The appearance and development of a hernia of the navel and groin;
Abdominal muscle ruptures;
Respiratory failure;
Different types of encephalopathy;
Epilepsy;
Prolapse of a section of the intestine - rectum;
Partial or complete hearing loss;
Lethal outcome.

Diagnostics

Diagnosing the disease in the early stages is quite difficult. Since the signs of whooping cough develop progressively. Reliability for making a correct diagnosis is examination to exclude other infections and to prevent the development of complications. Diagnostic measures include:

Anamnesis;
Vaccination certificate, that is, the fact of the presence or absence of vaccination. In those vaccinated with the pertussis vaccine, the disease may occur without severe symptoms;
Accuracy of information about contact with an infected person or the state of the epidemiological situation in the area of residence;
Bacteriological research based on the isolation of the causative agent of whooping cough;
Serological examination of blood serum;
Direct hemagglutination reaction - examination of a blood test for antibodies to the pertussis bacterium;
RSC - hemolysis, based on the interaction of complement systems and antibody - antigen;
Enzyme immunosorbent test for the presence and quantity of immunoglobulins type A, M at the onset of paroxysmal cough.

Treatment

In rare cases, the main treatment can be carried out on an outpatient basis. But if the disease is diagnosed in infants and preschool children, especially with a severe course, then hospitalization occurs in a hospital.

The main criteria for conducting therapeutic therapy are the conditions for keeping the patient:

Ventilation, air humidification;
For infants, in order to prevent hypoxia, oxygen therapy and additional measures are carried out to remove mucus and phlegm from the lungs;
Wet cleaning using disinfectants;
A diet with measured meals of five to six servings;
Constant warm drinks;
If the general condition is normalized, walk in the air.

In the use of drugs, the following are especially often prescribed:

Antigestamines;
Sedatives;
Tranquilizers;
In case of uncontrollable vomiting, intravenous medicinal solutions are administered;
Antibiotic therapy with broad-spectrum drugs;
Symptomatic drugs: antipyretics, vasoconstrictors;
Medicines to relieve or relieve a coughing attack;
Antipertussis gammaglobulin;
In extremely severe forms of whooping cough, immunoglobulin agents and corticosteroid drugs are used, and when respiratory activity stops, ventilation is used.

All treatment is aimed at alleviating the symptomatic picture, preventing the development of complications and relieving a cough attack.

Immunity

What kind of immunity occurs after whooping cough - after the disease, the immune system develops an unstable acquired defense. Relapse occurs in fairly rare cases, and only in the presence of secondary immunodeficiency, a strong weakening of immunological mechanisms.

Immunity after suffering from whooping cough, as a rule, lasts for life, in contrast to post-vaccination immunity. This will be especially facilitated by: proper nutrition, a healthy lifestyle, and the use of measures to strengthen the immune system.

Prevention

The main preventive measures against pertussis infection are the use of vaccines. Children starting from three months are administered DTP in three stages. At two years of age, immunization is carried out by revaccination. Post-vaccination immunity remains immune to the causative agent of whooping cough for about six years, then it decreases and the child becomes at risk of contracting the infection.

Video

Whooping cough has various consequences. This common childhood disease is acutely infectious. Pertussis bacillus is the causative agent of whooping cough, which quickly dies in the external environment. Therefore, a sick person is the only source of infection (in the first 7-14 days).

Medical indications

The disease in question is spread by airborne droplets. Parents should know why whooping cough is dangerous in children. The main symptom of the disease is a paroxysmal cough. It is difficult to treat and lasts 1-2 weeks. Complications of whooping cough can include pneumonia.

Timely and correct treatment of the patient prevents the development of various complications. The main method of preventing the disease is vaccination of children.

The first symptoms of the disease appear after the infection enters the human body after 14 days.

Doctors include the following consequences of whooping cough:

suppression of the immune system;
bronchitis;
otitis;
pleurisy;
encephalopathy.

The latter disease involves damage to the patient’s central nervous system. This disease manifests itself after 2-3 weeks of whooping cough. At the same time, the child develops new symptoms such as fainting, blurred vision and hearing, and convulsions. If these symptoms occur, it is recommended to immediately seek help from a doctor. Otherwise, the disease will affect the baby’s psychomotor development. Doctors include rectal prolapse and hernia as serious consequences of the disease. In rare cases, doctors observe pulmonary atelectasis and cerebral hemorrhage.

Classification of the disease

Experts identify the following forms of whooping cough:

Typical.
Atypical.

Doctors consider the 1st form of the disease to be those variants of the disease that are characterized by paroxysmal coughing. Complications of typical whooping cough are presented in the form of damage to the bronchopulmonary, cardiovascular systems, and encephalopathy. The general condition of the sick child does not change. Pediatricians identify the following symptoms characteristic of the catarrhal period:

persistent cough;
presence of hard breathing;
pale skin;
leukocytosis in the blood.

The preconvulsant period lasts 10-13 days. During the spasmodic period, a paroxysmal cough appears, the child’s face becomes red, and the eyes water. If the little patient is over a year old, then the cough may be accompanied by vomiting.

The convulsive period is characterized by some changes in the lungs, including wet and dry rales. The last symptom of whooping cough disappears after a coughing attack. It may appear after a certain period of time over other lung fields.

Read also: Features and drug treatment of herpes virus and chickenpox

Main forms of the disease

The abortive form is characterized by catarrhal and short-term periods with convulsive cough. Then recovery comes. In the erased form, convulsions are not observed. Children suffering from this disease develop a dry, obsessive cough. The asymptomatic form occurs without clinical signs. At the same time, titers of specific antibodies increase. Atypical forms of the disease appear in adults and vaccinated children. Doctors distinguish the following classification of whooping cough, taking into account the severity:

easy;
moderate severity;
heavy.

When the course of the disease does not go smoothly, chronic diseases worsen. In children under 1 year of age, severe and moderate forms of whooping cough are observed. There is a high probability of death. The incubation period is 1-2 days. A convulsive cough is observed for 6-8 weeks.

Newborn babies suffer from a weak, silent cough with little sputum production. Between attacks the child is lethargic and his appetite decreases. Among the complications, pediatricians identify:

respiratory arrest;
impaired blood circulation in the brain.

From nonspecific complications, experts determine bacterial and viral genesis. Secondary immunodeficiency is observed in the early stages and is long-lasting. Vaccinated children are characterized by certain features of the disease in question. Babies vaccinated against whooping cough get sick for the following reasons:

insufficient development of immunity;
reduction of immune tension.

Scientists have proven that a vaccinated child can get whooping cough 3-5 or more years after the last vaccination.

Children suffer from mild, erased and moderate forms of the disease.

Current complications

Vaccinated children are characterized by specific complications of the nervous and bronchopulmonary systems. But such consequences are not life-threatening for the patient. Unvaccinated children have a long incubation and catarrhal period (14 days), and a spasmodic cough lasts 2 weeks. Vaccinated children do not experience swelling or vomiting. Lymphocytosis is present in the peripheral blood.

The following complications are characteristic of a specific form of whooping cough:

emphysema;
segmental atelectasis;
pneumonia;
breathing is impaired (doctors distinguish 2 types of apnea: spasmodic (occurs with a convulsive cough) and syncapole. The main factors in the development of such a complication include prematurity, intrauterine infection, peritary damage to the central nervous system);
bleeding from the nose and bronchi;
inguinal and umbilical hernia;
rupture of the eardrum.

Whooping cough is an acute infectious disease caused by the whooping cough bacillus. This disease is transmitted by airborne droplets. Characterized by predominant damage to the nervous system, respiratory tract and peculiar coughing attacks.

The causative agent is a small short rod, 0.5–2 microns long. In the external environment, the rod quickly dies.

The source of infection is patients who are most contagious at the very beginning of the disease; later the infectivity decreases. With all forms of whooping cough, patients pose a great danger. The infection is transmitted by airborne droplets. Patients pose the greatest danger to others during coughing attacks, as particles of sputum fly up to 3 meters. Anyone, at any age, can get whooping cough if they have not developed stable lifelong immunity after the disease.

Clinic. The incubation period can range from 3 to 15 days (average 5–8 days). The course of the disease consists of three periods - catarrhal, period of spasmodic cough and resolution.

During the catarrhal period, a dry cough and sometimes a runny nose appear. Well-being and appetite are not impaired, the temperature is subfebrile or normal. A feature of this period is a persistent cough, which, despite treatment, constantly intensifies until the development of limited attacks. The catarrhal period lasts 3-14 days.

During the spasmodic period, the cough acquires a paroxysmal character, which is preceded by precursors in the form of anxiety, sore throat. The attack consists of short coughing shocks, which are interrupted by reprises - inhalation, accompanied by a whistling sound. At the end of the attack, thick mucus is released, and there may be vomiting. During an attack, the child’s face turns red, then turns blue, the veins in the neck swell, the face becomes puffy, and the eyes become bloodshot. There may be involuntary loss of urine and feces. The tongue protrudes to the limit, becomes cyanotic, and tears flow from the eyes.

Outside of an attack, the condition of patients with uncomplicated forms of whooping cough is almost unchanged. In severe forms, children become irritable, adynamic, and lethargic.

During the first 1–1.5 weeks of the spasmodic period, the number of attacks and their severity increase, then stabilization occurs for 2 weeks, and then the attacks become less frequent and milder. The spasmodic period lasts from 2 to 8 weeks, but can be longer.

The resolution period is characterized by a cough without attacks; it can last 2–4 weeks or more. The average duration of the disease is about 6 weeks, but may be longer.

The most common complication of whooping cough, as a result of the addition of secondary bacterial flora, is pneumonia, which can occur violently, with high fever, and respiratory failure. Pneumonia can lead to a sharp increase in the whooping cough process, in the form of prolongation of coughing attacks, increased cyanosis, and the appearance of brain disorders.

Treatment. Antibiotics do not shorten the duration of the spasmodic period of whooping cough, but can eliminate pathogens that multiply in the nasopharynx. Thanks to this, the infectiousness of the patient is sharply reduced. Classic representatives of antibiotics used in this case are ampicillin, erythromycin and chloramphenicol, which are given orally or administered intramuscularly.

A good result is achieved by using anti-pertussis γ-globulin in the early stage of the disease. It is administered intramuscularly for 3 days in a row, then several times every other day.

If there are severe signs of oxygen starvation, oxygen therapy is performed - giving oxygen through a mask or through a nasal catheter. A long stay in the fresh air (at a temperature not lower than 10 ° C) has a good effect. It normalizes cardiac activity, deepens breathing, and enriches the blood with oxygen.

Sedatives (phenazepam, relanium, pipolfen), affecting the central nervous system, have a positive effect both in the early and late stages of the disease. They calm patients, reduce the frequency and severity of spasmodic coughs, prevent or reduce the number of delays, respiratory arrests and vomiting that occur during coughing.

If breathing stops, artificial respiration is performed.

Treatment with vitamins A, C, K, etc. is necessary.

Physiotherapy is widely used in hospital settings: ultraviolet irradiation, calcium electrophoresis, etc.

For complications, especially pneumonia, antibiotics from the group of semisynthetic penicillins or broad-spectrum cephalosporins (claforan, ceftazidime, ceftriabol, etc.) are used.

The diet of a patient with whooping cough should be complete and high in calories. In case of frequent coughing attacks that end in vomiting, food must be given to the child at short intervals, in small quantities, in concentrated form. It is allowed to supplement the child's feeding shortly after vomiting.

Prevention. To neutralize the source of infection, it is necessary to isolate the patient as early as possible at the first suspicion of whooping cough and when this diagnosis is established. Isolate the child at home or in the hospital for 30 days from the onset of the disease.

Children under 7 years of age who have been in contact with a sick person but have not had whooping cough are subject to quarantine (separation). Quarantine is imposed for 14 days when the patient is isolated.

All unvaccinated young children who come into contact with a sick person are given γ-globulin.

Patients with severe, complicated forms of whooping cough are hospitalized.

The main method of preventing whooping cough is active immunization. Currently, the DPT vaccine is used. The pertussis vaccine in it is represented by a suspension of the first phase of pertussis bacilli. The first immunization is carried out at 3 months, then at 4.5 months. and at 6 months. At 1.5 years of age, revaccination against whooping cough is carried out.

With full coverage of vaccination and revaccination of children, there is a significant reduction in morbidity.

Rehabilitation. When rehabilitating patients with whooping cough, great importance is attached to a course of vitamin therapy. Vitamin and mineral complexes such as ecti-vi, mystic, bisk, chromevital+, hyper, passilate, etc. are used. The use of probiotics is justified - biovestin-lacto, linex. Plant adaptogens are used in the form of eleutherococcus, aralia or ginseng, as well as nonspecific immunomodulators - dibazol, sodium nucleinate. It is necessary to prescribe nootropic drugs (nootropil, piracetam) in combination with drugs that improve cerebral circulation (Cavinton, Pantogam).

During the recovery period, which can last up to a year or more, when the main manifestations of the disease have already stopped, reflex coughing attacks can sometimes be observed, i.e. the patient coughs as if out of habit. In such cases, the child’s routine is of great importance. The regimen of a patient or someone who has just recovered from whooping cough should be based on the extensive use of fresh air in the form of walks and room ventilation. At the same time, external stimuli that can cause negative emotions should be reduced. Older children benefit from distraction from illness by reading and quiet games. This also explains the reduction in coughing when taking off on airplanes, when taking children to other places (inhibition of the desire to cough with new, stronger irritants).

There is a folk remedy that can reduce cough spasms and act as an expectorant.

Required: 2 cloves of garlic, honey - 1 tbsp. l.

Preparation and use. Cut or crush the garlic, mix it with honey and let the mixture stand for two hours (it can be taken immediately). Give up to 5 ml (1 tsp) either undiluted or diluted in a small amount of warm water 4 times a day.

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Whooping cough is an acute bacterial infection that most often affects the respiratory tract of children. Its distinctive feature is the prolonged course of the disease with painful coughing attacks. The cause of the disease is infection with Bordetella bacillus, spread by airborne droplets. A child who has suffered a serious illness will face a long rehabilitation process.

Diagnosis of the disease

Diagnosing whooping cough is quite simple. The most important thing, when visiting a pediatrician, is to focus his attention on recurring attacks of spasmodic cough. An experienced doctor will prescribe laboratory blood tests and bacteriological analysis of the mucous membranes of the posterior pharyngeal wall. In case of infection, a complete blood count will show an increased number of white blood cells, usually three or four times the age norm. The child’s venous blood is examined using serological diagnostics; here, in the presence of infection, specific antibodies are detected. This method is the most effective and accurate, but is not used in ordinary children's hospitals. Such examination is possible only in expensive private clinics. Budgetary institutions do not have the funds to purchase and install the necessary laboratory blood analyzers.

Rehabilitation program

Children who have had whooping cough should be regularly examined throughout the year not only by a pediatrician, but also by specialized doctors: a neurologist and a pulmonologist.

Doctors prescribe a rehabilitation course that includes a complex of proper nutrition; the diet should be rich in vitamins and minerals. Physical therapy is considered an important factor in recovery from whooping cough. Simple health-improving gymnastics helps improve metabolic processes, increases immunity and the body's resistance to pathogens of infectious diseases. A correctly selected treatment complex allows the child to regain his strength; a gradual increase in load has a positive effect on the general condition of the child’s body as a whole.

The physical education program itself includes a number of exercises aimed at strengthening the respiratory system and developing the sternum, muscles, shoulders and back. Additionally, doctors recommend regular walks outside, exercise in the pool, and hardening water procedures.

Sometimes the baby develops a severe disease. Therefore, in this case, the child is sent to sanatoriums and dispensaries located in regions with a suitable climate to recover from whooping cough. When selecting a resort complex, one nuance should be taken into account: the climate zone should not change. Otherwise, the baby will have to adapt to new conditions, which can lead to complications. As a course of rehabilitation after illness, a holiday at a camp site may be suitable for children. But this is only for patients who have had a mild form of the disease.

Specialized health institutions are the best solution to the problem of restoring health and strengthening the immune system. In such complexes all conditions for rehabilitation have been created. On your own, at home, you may not always have time to visit the pool or exercise. In addition, it is necessary to monitor the diet, and sometimes parents do not have the opportunity to prepare healthy meals. There are often cases when it is difficult to create a comfortable, healthy environment at home. But in health centers, on the contrary, such an environment always prevails. Young patients are offered a wide range of rehabilitation procedures:

proper and healthy nutrition;
herbal medicine, cocktails based on medicinal herbs;
inhalations using ultrasound, which help eliminate phlegm and restore the respiratory tract;
galvanic current therapy, enhancing the outflow of lymph from the bronchi and lungs. Promotes rapid penetration of drugs into the body;
treatment using infrared radiation, which has an anti-inflammatory effect;
prevention of allergic reactions caused by intoxication during the course of the disease using autotransfusion of blood;
mercury-quartz lamps;
laser therapy;
paraffin heating;
mineral baths and drinking mineral water;
physical therapy complex.

The course of health procedures is selected for each child individually, depending on his state of health. In addition, children receive support from professional psychotherapists.

In the process of implementing a rehabilitation program, a predominant role is given to therapy using vitamin complexes. For example, such as “Passilat” and “Hyper”. Along with vitamins and minerals, medications are prescribed that normalize the intestinal balance, which is disturbed as a result of the use of antibiotics during illness. Mostly, children drink Linex.

In order to stimulate the weakened immune system of a small patient, herbal remedies such as tincture of Eleutherococcus, ginseng, as well as immunomodulators, for example, Dibazol, are used.

The entire recovery process can take a long time, lasting a year or even more. Sometimes coughing attacks occur, although there are no apparent reasons for this, the symptoms of the disease have already disappeared. The baby coughs at a reflex level, out of habit. Positive emotions, a good book or an interesting game will help eradicate it.

Children who have had whooping cough develop good immunity to this disease. The body acquires protection against the disease for its entire life.

Prevention of disease

In medical practice, there are cases when whooping cough infection leads to death. Children under the age of two years are at risk, since their respiratory system is not yet sufficiently developed and they find it difficult to tolerate even the slightest cough. Therefore, attacks of painful coughing, characteristic of an acute infection, lead to the development of serious pathologies. In order to avoid infection with whooping cough pathogens, children are vaccinated. This is a necessary preventive measure. Vaccination of infants begins at three months; it is not possible earlier, since the newborn’s body may not be able to cope with the injected antibodies of the infection.

If we look at history, before the advent of the vaccine in the mid-20th century, the disease claimed the lives of many children. Statistics show that whooping cough occupied a leading position in the mortality rate of newborn babies. Mass administration of serum reduced the likelihood of infection. Therefore, it is necessary for children to be vaccinated, and on time.

Now the preventive vaccination is called DTP, which stands for adsorbed pertussis-diphtheria-tetanus vaccine. As already noted, it is given at a certain age. First at three months, again at the age of four months to six months. The last vaccination takes place when the child reaches one and a half years old. After all three times of administration of the serum, children develop immunity to the Bordetella bacillus, and resistance to the bacterium remains for twelve years.

There is another way to prevent infection. This is the introduction of quarantine; sick children are isolated from a group of healthy peers.

Recently, refusals of DPT vaccinations have become increasingly common, as many parents consider them harmful to health. Of course, the vaccine sometimes causes some local irritation, which can only be eliminated with medications. But such situations arise very rarely. Therefore, doctors recommend vaccinating children; the disease will cause more harm than a minor complication after the administration of the serum.

Strict adherence to all recommendations and prescriptions of the attending physician guarantees the complete restoration of the child’s body and its protection from whooping cough bacteria for the entire lifespan. Completing all rehabilitation procedures in a health resort under the supervision of specialists contributes to the rapid restoration of the respiratory system, increasing immunity, and strengthening general health.

Whooping cough is a viral infection caused by the whooping cough bacillus. It affects the lungs and central nervous system, forming a stable focus of excitation. Children under six years of age become ill more often because their immunity is not able to resist the pathogen. Parents are wondering what kind of immunity occurs after a child has had whooping cough and whether it is possible to get it again. Read about this in our article.

Whooping cough manifests itself as a spasmodic paroxysmal cough, after which children may begin to vomit.

During an attack, the patient's tongue protrudes as much as possible, laryngospasm occurs (the glottis closes), and a whistling sound is produced when inhaling. The attack itself can last up to four minutes. Adults can also become infected, provided that the body’s protective function is weakened.

Complications of whooping cough

During illness, immunity is reduced, and secondary immunodeficiency develops. This is a condition in which the immune system is not able to adequately resist attacks from pathogenic microflora.

With a timely diagnosis of whooping cough and proper treatment, complications do not arise. In severe cases of the disease, both specific and nonspecific lesions may appear.

Specific complications of whooping cough

Specific complications include those that are characteristic of whooping cough. These include:

Nonspecific complications of whooping cough

Disorders of appetite and sleep, as well as insufficient oxygen supply during paroxysm, contribute to the development of pathogenic flora and the occurrence of secondary immunodeficiency.

In the respiratory tract, during the inflammatory process caused by pertussis bacillus, staphylococci, streptococci and pneumococci multiply.

Nonspecific complications include:

As a rule, specific complications arise in the third week of convulsive cough, and nonspecific complications, if they appear, occur in the fourth week. The illness can last up to two months, and a residual cough remains for six months.

Immunity after whooping cough

The infection contagiousness index ranges from 0.7 to 1. This means that when meeting a carrier of the infection, out of 10 people, at least 7 will get sick. The disease is most dangerous for children in the first year of life, since the immunity received from the mother can protect only in the first weeks .

The body can learn to recognize a pathogen in two ways:

after meeting with a live pathogen;
after vaccination.

When a pathogen enters the body, a defense system consisting of macrophages, lymphocytes, phagocytes and immunoglobulin is activated. The immune system destroys antigens, remembers the pathogen, and when the pathogen attacks again, it is able to recognize it and destroy it.

During the period of the immune system’s fight against whooping cough, specific class G immunoglobulins are formed in the body, which guarantee permanent lifelong immunity against the disease. However, isolated cases of re-infection with whooping cough have been recorded. Experts explain this by starting treatment for the disease at a stage when the immune system has not yet developed a response.

When children are vaccinated, they develop antibodies, but this does not guarantee lifelong immunity. Vaccinated children get sick 4-6 times less often, the clinical picture is erased, and no serious complications arise.

Children who have received the whooping cough vaccine become infected due to insufficient production of immunoglobulin or a decrease in immunity. The risk of getting sick increases 3 years after vaccination. In vaccinated children, the immune system is familiar with the pathogen, so the synthesis of the titer of specific antibodies occurs faster and occurs already in the second week of spasmodic cough.

Rehabilitation

Since whooping cough forms a focus of excitation in the brain, a reflex cough (out of habit) can be observed throughout the year. How quickly immunity recovers after whooping cough depends on the severity of the disease, the timeliness and adequacy of treatment. If whooping cough is severe, then long-term rehabilitation of the patient is required.

Secondary immunodeficiency leads to a weakening of the body, during which it is easy to become infected with any infections. In addition, opportunistic microflora can begin to multiply and cause illness. For example, the candida bacterium is present in the body of every person, but after an illness or long-term use of antibiotics, its colony grows, which leads to candidiasis.

When recovering patients with whooping cough, special attention is paid to vitamin therapy. It is advised to take vitamin preparations such as Mystic, Bisk, Chromvital+, Passilate. To restore the microflora, probiotics (Linex, Biovestin-lacto) are prescribed, since dysbiosis may occur due to treatment with antibiotics.

To help the immune system recover after illness, immunomodulators are designed to stimulate the immune system, remove toxins and free radicals. These include plant adaptogens: echinacea, eleutherococcus, ginseng. In some cases, medications are prescribed to improve blood circulation in the brain.

During the recovery period, you need to monitor your daily routine. Long walks in the fresh air are necessary, preferably in a forest belt (the air of a pine forest contains a lot of phytoncides that suppress the growth of bacteria and fungi). It is unacceptable to stay in dusty rooms.

Thus, immunity to the pertussis bacterium after whooping cough remains for life. Vaccination protects against severe forms of the disease and serious complications.