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    Pertussis: What You Can Do Yourself

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    AbdulAzees S Deenmohamed
    Pertussis, also known as whooping cough, is a bacterial infection that causes severe coughing fits, especially at night, which can sometimes end in vomiting. It was common in children before immunization but vaccination has greatly reduced cases. Chicken pox is a highly contagious viral illness that causes an itchy rash of blisters. It generally makes children feel unwell before the rash appears and most recover within a week. Home treatments for comfort include lukewarm baths, calamine lotion, antihistamines and keeping nails short to prevent scratching.

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    Pertussis: What You Can Do Yourself

    Uploaded by

    AbdulAzees S Deenmohamed
    6 views2 pages
    Pertussis, also known as whooping cough, is a bacterial infection that causes severe coughing fits, especially at night, which can sometimes end in vomiting. It was common in children before immunization but vaccination has greatly reduced cases. Chicken pox is a highly contagious viral illness that causes an itchy rash of blisters. It generally makes children feel unwell before the rash appears and most recover within a week. Home treatments for comfort include lukewarm baths, calamine lotion, antihistamines and keeping nails short to prevent scratching.

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    Pertussis, also known as whooping cough, is a bacterial infection that causes severe coughing fits, especially at night, which can sometimes end in vomiting. It was common in children before immunization but vaccination has greatly reduced cases. Chicken pox is a highly contagious viral illness that causes an itchy rash of blisters. It generally makes children feel unwell before the rash appears and most recover within a week. Home treatments for comfort include lukewarm baths, calamine lotion, antihistamines and keeping nails short to prevent scratching.

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    6 views2 pages

    Pertussis: What You Can Do Yourself

    Uploaded by

    AbdulAzees S Deenmohamed
    Pertussis, also known as whooping cough, is a bacterial infection that causes severe coughing fits, especially at night, which can sometimes end in vomiting. It was common in children before immunization but vaccination has greatly reduced cases. Chicken pox is a highly contagious viral illness that causes an itchy rash of blisters. It generally makes children feel unwell before the rash appears and most recover within a week. Home treatments for comfort include lukewarm baths, calamine lotion, antihistamines and keeping nails short to prevent scratching.

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    COMMON CONDITIONS: INFECTIOUS DISEASES

    31

    Pertussis
    Pertussis (whooping cough) is a severe bacterial infection that was common in children before immunization. Your child may be feverish and have cold symptoms 721 days after contact. Then spasms of coughing develop with a typical high-pitched whoop as the child breathes in. Coughing is usually worse at night and may trigger vomiting. The illness can be serious in small babies.
    See also Coughing, p.102; Croup, p.138.
    WARNING

    Seek immediate medical help if:


    G Your child becomes drowsy, has seizures, or is choking G Your child has breathing problems, or his or her lips or tongue turn blue during a coughing spasm

    See your doctor first


    Arrange to see your doctor immediately if you suspect that your child has pertussis.

    DRUG REMEDIES Analgesics will help reduce discomfort and bring down a fever. Give acetaminophen (see p.177), available as liquid medicine or chewable pills, or ibuprofen (see p.185), available as liquid medicine. Make sure you ask your pharmacist to recommend an appropriate product for your child.
    Acetaminophen You can give medicine containing acetaminophen to a child over 2 years old.

    What you can do yourself


    Pertussis can be distressing, so follow these steps to make your child more comfortable.
    G Be calm and reassuring. If your child is having trouble sleeping, try to share the care at night.

    Offer plenty of clear fluids. Try honey and lemon (see NATURAL REMEDIES, opposite page), but dont give honey to babies under 1 year.
    G

    Give your child an analgesic (see DRUG REMEDIES, right) to reduce fever and discomfort. Dont use cough medicines they will not help.
    G

    Humidifying the room (see PRACTICAL TECHNIQUE, right) may help ease the cough.
    G

    PRACTICAL TECHNIQUE Humidifying air in a room will soothe your


    childs air passages and help loosen mucus. Use one of the following methods.
    G Place a humidifier by the childs bed, or hang a wet towel close to a radiator. G Sit with your child in the bathroom and run hot water in the bath or shower to create steam.

    Offering your child soft, easy-to-swallow food in small portions will help prevent vomiting.
    G

    Keep your home free of irritants such as tobacco smoke and aerosol sprays.
    G

    Seek further medical advice


    Arrange to see your doctor: If your childs condition deteriorates To check that your child is fit to return to school; he or she may have coughing fits for several months after the illness
    G G

    PREVENTION An effective vaccine that protects against pertussis is included in the childhood immunization series. Make sure your child is immunized according to the recommended schedule.

    32

    COMMON CONDITIONS: INFECTIOUS DISEASES

    Chicken pox
    Chicken pox is a highly infectious viral illness, most common in children, that causes an intensely itchy rash of blisters. Your child may generally feel unwell, with a headache and mild fever, just before the rash develops and for the first few days afterward. The first symptoms appear 1021 days after contact with the infection, and most children are completely recovered 710 days later.

    Chicken pox rash on a child

    See your doctor first


    Arrange to see your doctor to confirm that your child has chicken pox.

    NATURAL REMEDIES Baking soda (see p.179) reduces itching. Add 2 tablespoons to a bath one-third full. Oatmeal products (see p.187) moisturize the skin; lotions can be used instead of soap.

    What you can do yourself


    Use these home treatments to make your child more comfortable and help prevent scratching, which can cause scars. If your child has a fever, take steps to reduce it (see FEVER IN CHILDREN, p.135). Offer your child plenty to drink throughout the day.
    G G Soothe itching by giving your child lukewarm baths twice a day. Try adding baking soda (sodium bicarbonate) or an oatmeal lotion to the bath water (see NATURAL REMEDIES, right). G An antihistamine will reduce itching and help your child sleep at night. You can also soothe his or her skin with calamine lotion (see DRUG REMEDIES, right). G Cut your childs nails short to reduce damage from scratching. Give him or her cotton gloves to wear at night to prevent scratching during sleep. G To soothe spots in your childs mouth, get him or her to rinse with half a teaspoon of salt in a cup of warm water, being careful that he or she does not swallow the solution. Encourage your child to keep brushing his or her teeth as normal. G Your child will be more comfortable in light, loose, nonitchy clothing. Avoid wool.

    DRUG REMEDIES Antihistamines (see p.178) will help to


    relieve the itching during and after a chicken pox infection. Apply liberally to the affected areas. You could try using a liquid sedative brand if itching makes sleep difficult for your child.

    Calamine lotion (see p.179)


    is cooling and soothing, and also helps dry up blisters, aiding healing. Use it as needed.

    Applying calamine Use cotton balls and count the spots with your child as you dab on the lotion.

    Seek further medical advice


    Arrange to see your doctor again if your child develops:
    G G

    Keep your child away from school, and away from any woman who may be pregnant, for 5 days from the time when the blisters first appear.
    G

    Pus-filled spots and/or blisters near the eyes Earache or headache, breathing problems, drowsiness, or convulsions

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