Whooping cough, despite its whimsical name, can be a serious respiratory illness. Knowing the symptoms is crucial, especially for parents of young children who are most vulnerable to this infection. Whooping cough progresses through stages, and the symptoms can vary slightly depending on the age of the infected person. In the initial stage, which can last one to two weeks, whooping cough often mimics a common cold. Runny nose, congestion, a mild cough, and a low-grade fever are common complaints. This stage can be misleading, making whooping cough easy to miss, particularly in older children and adults. However, as the infection progresses, the cough intensifies, becoming the hallmark symptom of the disease. The later stages of whooping cough are characterized by severe coughing fits. These coughing episodes can be violent and come in rapid succession, often leaving the person gasping for air. The characteristic "whooping" sound, caused by the forceful inhalation after a coughing fit, is most prominent in children. Infants, however, may not be able to produce the whooping sound, but they might experience pauses in breathing after coughing spells, which is a very serious sign and requires immediate medical attention. |