Whooping Cough

Pertussis is a violent cough sometimes called whooping cough. A vaccine for pertussis was developed in 1948. Before then children in the United States often died from it. The disease is rising again because fewer people are getting vaccinated.

Signs and Symptoms

The three phases of the disease are listed below.

Catarrhal phase (lasts one to two weeks):

• Upper respiratory infection; begins like the common cold
• Low-grade fever (less than 100.4°F)
• Loss of appetite

Paroxysmal phase (lasts one to four weeks):

• Cough increases (2 to 50 times a day) and fever decreases.
• Sudden forceful breathing in causes the whooping sound.
• A sudden intense bout of coughing (paroxysms) causes bulging and tearing eyes tongue sticking out and bluish discoloration.
• Vomiting or choking may follow coughing bouts.

Convalescent phase (lasts two weeks to several months):

• Cough slowly goes away.

What Causes It?

A type of bacteria causes pertussis and it is spread through droplets coughed into the air. It is a highly contagious disease.

What to Expect at Your Provider's Office

Your health care provider will will prescribe an antibiotic which helps prevent the disease from spreading. Patients with complications severe coughing bouts or who are under one year of age are hospitalized.

Treatment Options

Treatment Plan

Treatment is largely to control symptoms and prevent the spread of the disease. You will be isolated for seven days while you take antibiotics. It is important not to use a cough suppressant. Suctioning of secretions oxygen and intravenous fluids and electrolytes are used for infants and long illnesses. Mist by tent also may benefit infants.

Drug Therapies

Prescription

• Antibiotics—help cure and stop the spread of pertussis; unless taken early in your illness it will not help the severity; various side effects
• Corticosteroids—may reduce severity and length of cough especially for infants
• Albuterol—reduces severity of cough

Over the Counter

N/A

Complementary and Alternative Therapies

Pertussis can be treated with nutrition herbs and homeopathy.

Nutrition

Note: Doses given are for children. Adults should double the amounts.

• Eliminate dairy bananas wheat and meat products.
• Encourage small frequent meals of vegetable broths steamed vegetables and fresh fruit (especially pineapple and grapes).
• Vitamin C (200 to 500 mg three times per day) zinc (10 to 15 mg per day) and beta-carotene (10 000 to 25 000 IU per day).

Herbs

Herbs may be used as dried extracts (capsules powders teas) glycerites (glycerine extracts) or tinctures (alcohol extracts). Teas should be made with 1 tsp. herb per cup of hot water. Steep covered 5 to 10 minutes for leaf or flowers and 10 to 20 minutes for roots.

Catarrhal stage: Choose two herbs from each of the first three categories. Combine in equal parts in a tea ( 1/2 cup every three to four hours) a tincture or glycerite (30 drops every three to four hours).

Paroxysmal stage: In addition to the above formula combine 2 parts of catnip with two to four of the other antispasmodic herbs in a tincture or glycerite (20 drops every one to two hours).

Immune-stimulating herbs:

• Coneflower (Echinacea purpurea)
• Usnea lichen (Usnea spp.)
• Garlic (Allium sativum)
• Astragalus (Astragalus membranaceus)

Expectorants:

• Licorice root (Glycyrrhiza glabra)
• Elecampane (Inula helenium)
• Mullein (Verbascum thapsus)

Antiseptics:

• Thyme (Thymus vulgaris)
• Hyssop (Hyssopus officinalis)
• Anise seed (Pimpinella anisum)

Antispasmodics:

• Indian tobacco (Lobelia inflata) (not more than 1/4 of combination)
• Catnip (Nepeta cateria)
• Chamomile (Matricaria recutita)
• Cramp bark (Viburnum opulus)
• Valerian (Valeriana officinalis)

Homeopathy

Some of the most common remedies for pertussis are listed below.

• Aconite for sudden onset of cough and great thirst for cold drinks
• Belladonna for sudden onset high fever with irritability
• Drosera for coughing when lying or from tickle in the throat
• Bryonia alba for cough that is dry and painful
• Arnica montana for painful cough with nosebleed
• Antimonium tartaricum for rattling cough and weakness
• Ipecacuanha for persistent nausea with cough and gagging

Physical Medicine

• Chest rubs. Use 3 to 6 drops of essential oil (camphor thyme eucalyptus rosemary) with 1 tbsp. food-grade oil (almond flax or olive).
• Castor oil pack. Apply oil directly to chest cover with a clean soft cloth and plastic wrap. Place a heat source over the pack and let sit for 30 to 60 minutes. Use daily.
• Place 3 to 6 drops of essential oil in a humidifier or a warm bath.
• Alternating hot and cold applications to the chest or back. Alternate three minutes hot with one minute cold.
• Warming sock treatment. Before bed place cold damp socks on warmed feet and cover with dry wool socks overnight.

Acupuncture

May enhance immunity and decrease duration and severity of infection.

Massage

Foot massage has a relaxing effect and can help induce sleep.

Following Up

Complete recovery is expected unless there are complications.

Special Considerations

Vaccinations are 80 to 90 percent effective. They last about 12 years.

Supporting Research

Bartram T. Encyclopedia of Herbal Medicine. Dorset England: Grace Publishers; 1995:452–453.

Behrman RE Kliegman R eds. Nelson Textbook of Pediatrics. 15th ed. Philadelphia Pa: WB Saunders; 1996.

Blumenthal M ed. The Complete German Commission E Monographs. Boston Mass: Integrative Medicine Communications; 1998:432.

Bove M. An Encyclopedia of Natural Healing for Children and Infants. New Canaan Conn: Keats Publishing; 1996:205–208.

Rakel RE ed. Conn's Current Therapy. 50th ed. Philadelphia Pa: WB Saunders; 1998.

Rosen P Barkin R eds. Emergency Medicine: Concepts and Clinical Practice. 4th ed. St. Louis Mo: Mosby-Year Book; 1996.

Scott J. Natural Medicine for Children. London England: Gaia Books Ltd; 1990:133–134.

Copyright © 2000 Integrative Medicine Communications

The publisher does not accept any responsibility for the accuracy of the information or the consequences arising from the application use or misuse of any of the information contained herein including any injury and/or damage to any person or property as a matter of product liability negligence or otherwise. No warranty expressed or implied is made in regard to the contents of this material. No claims or endorsements are made for any drugs or compounds currently marketed or in investigative use. This material is not intended as a guide to self-medication. The reader is advised to discuss the information provided here with a doctor pharmacist nurse or other authorized healthcare practitioner and to check product information (including package inserts) regarding dosage precautions warnings interactions and contraindications before administering any drug herb or supplement discussed herein.