Whooping cough, sometimes also called "100-day cough" or whooping cough, is an infectious disease. During the first week or two after infection, symptoms appear similar to those of a cold or flu: runny nose, fever and cough. After the first two weeks, however, the cough gets much worse and is usually so strong that it sometimes even induces vomiting; in some cases, it can last longer than 10 weeks. Whooping cough is very contagious and spreads very easily between people. Since it is a bacterial infection, antibiotic treatment is the most suitable treatment, but it must begin within the first three weeks of onset; after this period, the infection usually disappears and only a bit of a nagging cough remains. Know that there is no cure for this disease; you can just let it take its course, but if you wish you can try different methods to relieve the discomfort.
Steps
Method 1 of 4: See a Doctor
Step 1. Make a doctor's appointment
During the first two weeks you may think you have a cold or a cough; for this reason, it is difficult to evaluate the opportunity to be examined by the doctor at this stage. However, if you know for sure that you have come into contact with someone who has been diagnosed with whooping cough, go to the doctor right away when symptoms appear. otherwise, the times for making an appointment vary according to your health condition. If your cough gets worse and becomes continuous, it's time to see a doctor.
Step 2. Isolate yourself from others
Whooping cough is extremely contagious and can be fatal to infants. To ensure your safety and that of others, try to get in touch with as few people as possible; this means that you have to stay at home from work or school, you don't have to attend events or meetings outside the home and you don't have to find yourself with friends just to be in company. If there are children in the house, be sure to stay away from them as much as possible and make sure they wash their hands often.
Step 3. Ask your doctor about antibiotics
Whooping cough is caused by the bacterium Bordetella pertussis, which can spread from one person to another through droplets released into the air with each cough or sneeze. People who have not been vaccinated and infants are more likely to get sick; as for newborns, the infection can even be fatal. The bacterium usually remains in the body for the first three weeks after infection and during this time the patient is contagious. Doctors consider whether oral antibiotics can avoid the risk of passing the disease to other people and also speed up the healing process.
Step 4. Consult your doctor regarding cough suppressants
In general, over-the-counter coughs are not effective when the cough is caused by whooping cough, but there are alternatives that your doctor may consider. Both corticosteroids and salbutamol are known to reduce tussive attacks, but they must be prescribed by the doctor.
Step 5. Make sure you have all your vaccinations on time
Vaccines themselves are not a cure, but they help the body make antibodies against serious diseases, thus stimulating the body to fight possible diseases in the future. Regardless of whether you received the vaccines as a child or not, it is important to respect the deadlines for booster adulthood; check with your doctor to determine which ones you should undergo.
Method 2 of 4: Follow a Proper Diet
Step 1. Drink lots of fluids
In general, adults should drink between 2.7 and 3.7 liters of fluid each day. This amount, however, includes the liquid substances (in addition to water) that you get from all sources, including from foods. As a general guideline, remember that to make sure you are getting enough fluids, you don't need to feel thirsty and have to drink with every meal. You can include any type of fluid in your daily consumption (for example soups, milk, tea, coffee, soft drinks, juices, and so on). Although some substances, such as coffee, tea, and sodas, are still fluids that help meet your daily needs, you shouldn't limit yourself to just these types of drinks.
Step 2. Eat lots of fruits and vegetables
Overall, these foods are packed with vitamins and nutrients that help keep you strong and healthy. They are very supportive when you are sick because they contain a fair amount of water and are more appetizing than other foods.
Step 3. Get the right amount of vitamins for your needs
Ideally, you should take 400-1000 mg of vitamin C, 20-30 mg of zinc and 20,000 to 50,000 IU of beta-carotene per day. Sometimes, you can meet this need through food, but it's not always possible. To make sure you are getting adequate amounts of these nutrients every day, you can opt for multivitamin supplements or single vitamins.
- Multivitamins don't always contain enough of every type of substance the body needs. Check the ingredients described on the package, to be sure that the vitamin dosage is suitable for your needs; if not, buy them individually.
- Always ask your doctor if you can take vitamins and minerals, especially if you are already taking other medications, to avoid the risk of side effects or interactions between the different active ingredients.
Method 3 of 4: Drink Herbal Teas
Step 1. Ask your doctor if you can follow a herbal treatment
Some, though not all, herbs can interact with medications. If you are currently taking one or more medicines, talk to your doctor or pharmacist before using herbal remedies; both are able to tell you which ones to avoid in combination with specific active ingredients.
Research has not identified herbs that are specifically effective for whooping cough, but many different types have been shown to be valuable in strengthening the immune system and reducing cough, thereby helping the patient to overcome the infection
Step 2. Sip an echinacea-based herbal tea
This plant helps strengthen the immune system; you may already know it because it is available as a supplement that you can buy in pharmacies and take when you feel like you are getting a cold; however, it is also possible to buy it dried to make herbal teas.
- Pour a teaspoon of echinacea into 250ml of boiling water and leave to infuse for 5-10 minutes.
- Once you have the drink, you can consume 250-500ml per day.
- If you prefer supplements, follow the directions on the package regarding the dosage.
Step 3. Make garlic tea
This plant is known for its ability to invigorate the immune system and help it fight viruses and bacteria.
- Crush 2 or 3 cloves of garlic and add them to half a liter of water in a saucepan.
- Bring the mixture to a boil and let it simmer for 15 minutes, before removing the garlic pieces.
- Drink the tea once cold and add honey if you want to sweeten it.
- You can drink 2-4 cups a day.
Step 4. Sip on hyssop tea
It is a plant known for its expectorant properties, meaning it can help you expel mucus. You can use the leaves to make herbal tea that tastes like mint; hyssop has a smell similar to that of camphor, which is used to clear congested airways.
- Place a teaspoon of hyssop in a cup of boiling water and steep for 5-10 minutes.
- You can drink the herbal tea 2-4 times a day.
Step 5. Make an anise tea
It is used to flavor black licorice and some liqueurs; if you don't like the taste of black licorice or related liqueurs, this is not a good solution for you. Anise is considered an expectorant, that is, it helps you get rid of mucus, and is present in the ingredients of several over-the-counter cough medicines.
- Add a teaspoon of anise to 250ml of boiling water and steep for 5-10 minutes.
- You can drink 2-4 cups a day to help reduce cough.
Step 6. Make a herbal tea of nepeta cataria (catnip)
It is a type of mint and the fresh plant releases a nice scent, especially if you break the leaves or stems. This plant also has antispasmodic properties, able to control or relieve coughing attacks due to whooping cough. You can use the fresh or dried leaves to make a healthful drink.
- Place a teaspoon in a cup of boiling water and steep for 5-10 minutes.
- You can drink 2-4 cups a day.
Step 7. Sip chamomile tea
It is another plant known for its antispasmodic properties, it is able to manage and control spasms and convulsions, such as coughing attacks caused by this infection. Since you can find many types of chamomile on the market, this can be a quick and easy solution; if you wish, you can also make an herbal tea yourself using fresh or dry plant material.
- Add a teaspoon of these leaves to 250ml of boiling water and steep for 5-10 minutes.
- Drink it 2-4 times a day to calm your cough.
Step 8. Sip thyme tea
It is a plant known for its antispasmodic effect, able to relieve spasms or convulsions that in case of whooping cough can appear as coughing attacks. You can use dried leaves or fresh herb to make the drink.
- Add two teaspoons of dried thyme or a sprig (lightly crushed) to a cup of boiling water.
- Leave to infuse for 5-10 minutes.
- You can drink 2-4 cups a day.
- However, do not drink thyme essential oil, as it is toxic.
Step 9. Try other types of herbs or plants
You can use many other herbs to make herbal teas to help relieve the cough caused by this infection. Astragalus (strengthens the immune system), elecampane (expectorant), mullein (expectorant), and lobelia (antispasmodic) are all plants traditionally used to treat coughs.
Method 4 of 4: Try Other Home Remedies
Step 1. Eat a spoonful of honey
Medical research has found that cough syrup is no more effective than honey. It is very likely that you prefer the flavor of this food to that of the medicine; in this case, eat a spoonful of honey up to three times a day to coat the irritated mucous membranes of the throat and slow or stop the cough.
Step 2. Gargle with salt water
Mix a teaspoon of regular table salt in a glass of warm water. Make sure it is completely dissolved before putting the solution in your mouth and gargle. Move the liquid around your mouth for about 15 seconds and then spit it out; continue in this way until you have used up all the water in the glass. If you have a salty aftertaste in your mouth at the end, rinse it off with plain water.
Step 3. Breathe in the steam from the boiling water
You know that pleasant feeling of relief when you take a nice hot shower while you are cooled and for those short moments you can breathe well? This method works based on the same principle, but by adding some soothing ingredients, you can make it even more effective in relieving coughs. Put boiling water in a medium-sized bowl and let it cool for about a minute; add 3 drops of tea tree oil, 1-2 drops of eucalyptus oil and mix to combine the ingredients. Put your face over the bowl, take a comfortable position and simply breathe! Place a towel over your head and around the container to retain the steam near your face; you can breathe like this for 5-10 minutes at a time and you can repeat the treatment 2-3 times a day.
You can also add 3-6 drops of your favorite essential oil to a humidifier or tub water when taking a bath to relieve congestion
Step 4. Apply a castor oil paste to the chest
To make it, you need 100ml cold-pressed castor oil, 1 or 2 cloves of garlic (minced), 1 tablespoon of freshly grated ginger, 3-4 drops of eucalyptus oil, and a pinch of cayenne pepper. Combine all the ingredients in a bowl and mix thoroughly. Apply this paste on the chest, preferably under an old shirt that you can also ruin.
Alternatively, you can use castor oil on its own, without any other ingredients. Pour it directly on a soft cloth to place on the chest and then put some transparent film over the cloth; at this point, you can apply a heat source over the plastic wrap for 30-60 minutes. Castor oil is an anti-inflammatory and some research has shown that it strengthens the immune system
Step 5. Eat dark chocolate
After all, you are sick and can therefore indulge in whatever you want! Eating 50-100 g of dark chocolate helps to control cough thanks to the theobromine it contains. Although milk chocolate also contains this natural alkaloid, its concentration is not as high and consequently it is not as effective as dark chocolate.
Advice
The best way to prevent whooping cough is to get vaccinated. Typically, the first dose is given to infants and children, including the diphtheria and tetanus vaccine (DTPa vaccine). It is believed that adults should also have a booster of this same vaccine every 10 years
Warnings
- Always tell your doctor or pharmacist about any other prescription or over-the-counter medications you are taking.
- All the recommendations described in this article are addressed alone to adults; do not try to put them into practice on children without first discussing them with the pediatrician.
