Whooping cough na highly contagious respiratory infection wen dey primarily affects infants and young children. While e fit be mild illness for adults, e fit pose severe complications for vulnerable individuals.
Whooping cough dey progresses through several stages. The symptoms resemble m common cold own for the early stages but e go come dey more severe over time.
Some initial symptoms include:
a) Runny or stuffy nose
b) Mild cough
c) Sneezing
d) Low-grade fever
e) Fatigue
As the infection progresses, the whooping sound fit occur during coughing fits, and e go dey accompanied by the following:
a) Rapid coughs for series
b) Intense and uncontrollable coughing wen fit last for several minutes
c) Difficulty breathing or catching breath after coughing
Whooping cough dey caused by bacterium . E dey spread when person wen dey infected cough or sneeze, e go come release infected droplets into the air then people wen dey nearby go inhale am.
Infants and young children wen never dey fully vaccinated dey at the highest risk to contract the disease.
How to prevent whooping cough?
a) Vaccination:
The most effective way to prevent whooping cough na through vaccination. Them dey give the vaccine to infants and children for series of doses. E dey
provide immunity against tetanus, and whooping cough. Additionally, adults and adolescents fit receive the booster vaccine to maintain protection.
b) To protect vulnerable infants wen never complete their vaccination schedule, parents, siblings, and caregivers must dey up-to-date with their vaccinations.
c) Good Hygiene Practices: Frequent handwashing, covering the mouth and nose while coughing or sneezing, and avoiding close contact with people wen show symptoms of respiratory infections fit help reduce the risk of transmission.
d) Early Diagnosis and Treatment: quick diagnosis and treatment of whooping cough dey essential to prevent complications and reduce the spread of the disease. If you suspect say you or your pikin get whooping cough, consult healthcare professional for diagnosis and appropriate management.
While whooping cough fit dey mild for some people, it fit lead to severe complications, especially for infants and young children. Potential complications include:
a) Pneumonia
b) Ear infections
c) Seizures
d) Brain damage from lack of oxygen during coughing fits
e) Weight loss and malnutrition in infants
Conclusion
Whooping cough na highly contagious respiratory infection wen go require attention and preventive measures, particularly for infants and young children. Vaccination, good hygiene practices, and early diagnosis dey necessary to prevent the spread of the disease and reduce complications.