Whooping cough is a common and contagious bacterial disease that primarily affects children. The illness is characterized by the intense and uncontrollable coughing fits that it causes. If you or your child is suffering from coughing fits, come visit the walk-in clinic at AFC Lakewood to have your symptoms diagnosed. Continue reading to learn about the common symptoms of whooping cough, as well as treatment options and prevention measures. Prioritize our fami;y’s health this fall and winter, and visit AFC Lakewood today.
Signs and Symptoms of Whooping Cough
Typically, the symptoms of whooping cough develop within five to ten days after you’ve been infected with the bacteria that causes it. Whooping cough symptoms typically come on in two stages. Stage one is identified by the early symptoms that occur during the first one to two weeks of infection. These symptoms are similar to a common cold, and often cause:
- Runny or stuffy nose
- Congestion
- Low-grade fever
- Mild cough
- Sneezing
After the symptoms of stage one develop for one to two weeks, stage two symptoms begin. These symptoms are more severe and often cause rapid and uncontrolled coughing fits. These coughing fits can worsen overtime if left untreated, and can last up to ten weeks. Whooping cough can then cause:
- Severe coughing fits
- Vomiting
- Difficulty breathing
- Fatigue
Whooping Cough Treatment
Once you’ve been diagnosed with whooping cough, a medical provider will typically prescribe antibiotics to treat the illness. Since whooping cough is caused by a bacterial infection, antibiotic treatment is effective in alleviating symptoms. For the most effective treatment, it’s important to seek medical attention early. Oftentimes, in stage one symptoms, the illness can be mistaken as a common cold when you self-diagnose.
Visiting AFC Urgent Care Lakewood is a great resource for families to stay safe and healthy throughout the year, and to best avoid complications of the illness. Treating whooping cough early can help make the symptoms less severe and prevent spreading the bacteria to others.
Whooping Cough Prevention Measures
The best way to protect against whooping cough is with necessary vaccination, that is available to people of all ages. There are also preventive antibiotics available to help protect people who have already been exposed to the bacteria. At home, make sure to practice good hygiene and hand washing. Most respiratory illnesses are largely prevented when you cover your mouth and nose when coughing or sneezing, wash your hands often with soap and water for at least 20 seconds, and sanitize all surfaces frequently. Visit AFC Urgent Care Lakewood for more walk-in preventive health services.
The walk-in clinic is open seven days a week, with family care services available to all patients in the area. We can help families understand what illness they’re dealing with and offer treatment options for mild to moderate infections. For any additional questions about whooping cough please call us directly at (303) 988-3600.
