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The New Zealand Railways Magazine, Volume 9, Issue 8 (November 1, 1934)

Whooping Cough

Whooping Cough.

Whooping cough is prevalent at the present time. Children are the most liable to infection, especially in the early school years, although all ages are liable. It is especially distressing and dangerous for old people, young children and infants.

Whooping cough is disseminated by close contact. Infection lies in the secretions of the throat, nose and lungs. The disease is most infectious during the catarrhal stage, before the “whoop” begins. The incubation period is usually from ten to fourteen days. The patient must be isolated for not less than five weeks after whoop has appeared, provided that the characteristic coughs have entirely disappeared. In the winter season convalescence may not be established for three or four months. Relapses and second attacks are very rare.

Course and symptoms.—Whooping cough usually begins with a catarrhal stage lasting from one to two weeks, in which case the patient is ill with symptoms of bronchitis. Sometimes, however, the cough is characteristic from the beginning. It consists of a number of convulsive, choking coughs, ending with a long crowing inspiration or whoop. During a paroxysm there is breathlessness, the face becomes red, dusky or swollen, the eyes bulging, the veins distended, and vomiting is common. Bleeding from the nose may also occur. A sticky, ropy mucus exudes from the mouth and nose during an attack of coughing. The number and severity of paroxysms varies greatly.

Complications.—Some of the complications that may occur are ulceration of the under-surface of the tongue, hemorrhage from the nose and throat. Convulsions, bronchitis and bronchopneumonia may also occur, and these are dangerous complications in young children. When there are any of the above complications or if the disease is at all severe, it is necessary to obtain medical aid without delay.

Treatment.—Patients should be isolated from those who are not immune as soon as a catarrhal cold appears. If there is fever, put to bed in a warm well ventilated room, free from draughts, and keep the air at an even temperature. It is not usually necessary to keep them in bed after the fever has subsided, but they should be kept quiet, and guarded against any thing that might provoke coughing, keep comfortably warm and out of dampness and draughts. During fine weather patients should be out of doors as much as possible. Inhalations are often prescribed. A steam kettle is often employed to give inhalants to young children. Cleanse the mouth and teeth regularly. Watch the bowels, and give aperients when necessary. Do not use handkerchiefs—use pieces of soft old rag which may be burnt.

Diet.—Proper feeding is of great importance. The patient should be fed soon after vomiting, as then the food is more likely to be retained. Give plenty of fluids—water, barley water, orange and other fruit drinks, milk, etc. Only easily digested and nutritious foods should be given, such as broths, custards, milk puddings, sieved or well mashed vegetables, cooked fruit, etc.

To avoid infection, keep children in the fresh air as much as possible. Avoid close contact with sufferers.