Whooping cough is an infectious and highly contagious bacterial disease of the nose, throat and lungs which causes long bursts of coughing. Whooping cough is an infection caused by a bacterium called as "Bordetella Pertussis". Whooping cough commonly affects infants and young children but can be prevented by immunization with pertussis vaccine. Outbreaks of whooping cough were first described in the 16th Century.

In young children a deep "whooping" sound is often heard when they tries to take a breath. Whoop sound is rare in patients under 6 months of age and in adults. Children can have several coughing spells each hour, including while they are sleeping. Older children and adults may have whooping cough with or without the 'whooping' sound.

The incubation period for whooping cough is usually 7 to 10 days, but can be as long as 21 days to one month. Whooping cough is also known is "Pertusis".

Causes of Whooping cough
Whooping cough is highly contagious. The bacteria of whooping cough spread from person to person

• Through tiny drops of fluid from an infected person's nose or mouth.
• Bacteria may become airborne when the person sneezes, coughs, or laughs.
• Others can become infected by inhaling the drops or getting the drops on their hands and then touching their mouths or noses.

Signs & Symptoms of Whooping cough
Whooping cough can cause prolonged symptoms. The child usually has 1 to 2 weeks of common cold symptoms, followed by approximately 2 to 4 weeks of severe coughing. The first symptoms of whooping cough are similar to those of a common cold:

• Loss of Appetite
• Low-grade fever
• Mild Cough
• Mild Fever - or no fever at all in early stages
• Night Cough
• Runny Nose
• Sneezing
• Sore Throat
• Tears
• Tiredness

After about 1 to 2 weeks, the dry, irritating cough evolves into coughing spells. During a coughing spell, which can last for more than a minute, the child may turn red or purple. At the end of a spell, the child may make a characteristic whooping sound when breathing in or may vomit. Between spells, the child usually feels well.

Diagnosis of Whooping cough
The initial diagnosis is usually based on the symptoms, Complete medical history and physical examination. In very young infants, the symptoms may be caused by pneumonia instead.

• The proper diagnosis of whooping cough is often confirmed with a culture taken from the nose. The health care provider may take a sample of mucus from the nose nasal secretions and send it to a lab, which tests it for whooping cough.
• Some patients may have a complete blood count that shows large numbers of lymphocytes.
• A test usually involves passing a swab on a wire through a nostril to the back of the throat and sending it to a medical lab to culture the material. This may take 5 to 7 days.  If Bordetella pertussis grows this is usually taken as proof that it is whooping cough.
• Antibody tests are done by some laboratories on blood samples taken after several weeks of illness. By looking at IgG and IgA antibodies to fimbria, pertussis toxin and filamentous haemagglutinin, it is possible to say whether it is likely the patient has had whooping cough. It is a highly specialized test and you may have difficulty finding a lab able to do it.

Preventions of Whooping cough
Although a vaccine has been developed against whooping cough, which is routinely given to children in the first year of life, cases of the disease still occur, especially in infants younger than 6 months of age.

Treatments of Whooping cough
Specific treatment for whooping cough will be determined by your physician based on:

• Your child's age, overall health, and medical history
• Your child's tolerance for specific medications, procedures, or therapies
• Your opinion or preference
• Child may be hospitalized for supportive care and monitoring.
• Oxygen and intravenous fluids are needed until the child begins to recover.
• Antibiotic treatment may also be ordered by your child's physician.

Other possible treatment includes:

• Eating Small but Frequent Meals
• Increased intake to Fluids
• Keeping Child Warm
• Reducing Stimuli that may provoke coughing

When to Call Doctor
Call your doctor if you or your child develops following symptoms:

• Bluish skin color
• Dehydration
• High fever
• Persistent vomiting
• Problem in breathing
• Seizures or convulsions