Whooping cough is caused by Bordertella pertussis, an airborne bacterium, which can spread from one person to another at a rapid rate. It is a respiratory disease and is highly contagious. People from all age groups are prone to tuberculosis but young children and infants are at a very high risk when compared to older adults.

When an infected person coughs, sneezes, spits or speaks too loudly, millions of sputum particles, which carry these bacteria, are out in the open and circulate in the atmosphere. When a healthy person inhales these infected droplets, the bacteria easily enter the respiratory system and infect the person. The signs and symptoms are not immediate. The bacteria take a while to get accustomed to the new body. This period between the stage of infection and the first signs of the disease is called “incubation period”.

The initial symptoms are very similar to common cold and often go unnoticed. The bacteria are extremely virulent at this stage of the disease and can spread to a large number of people in very short time. The person gasps for breath during this stage and so characterized by a “whoop” sound. This can last for two to four weeks.

In severe cases, whooping cough can cause secondary infections like pneumonia and bronchitis. Administering vaccinations to infants is the perfect method for treating whooping cough and eliminating it from the body. If a person is infected, administration of antibiotics to decrease the severity of the disease and weaken the bacterium is the first step. Drinking plenty of fluids, taking adequate rest without stressing the body too much is also helpful.

More Articles :

• Symptoms Of Whooping Cough
• What Is Whooping Cough ?
• Whooping Cough Effects
• Whooping Cough Treatment