Characterized by a catarrhal stage and proxysmal, whooping cough, Pertussis is an acute
infectious disease. Pertussis may be prevented by immunization of infants at 3 months of
age. The disease is caused by a small, nonmotile bacillus with an incubation period of
7-10 days. Symptoms of pertussis include elevated white blood count with marked
lymphocytosis. It can be divided into 3 stages: Catarrhal, which has symptoms similar to
the common cold, including slight fever, sneezing, rhinitis, dry cough, irritability, and
loss of appetite. Paroxysmal sets in about 2 weeks into the disease. The cough is markedly
more violent followed by long drawn inspirations where the whooping is heard. Vomiting
commonly follows the paroxysm, and there may also be subconjunctival hemorrhages or
hemorrhages in other parts of the body. This cough is generally precipitated by eating,
drinking, or pressing on the trachea. Finally, the Decline stage begins indefinitely after
several weeks. Paroxysms grow less frequent and less violent. The appetite improves, and
eventually, the cough disappears.
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Pertussis
(Whooping Cough)
oughing is extremely common
and occurs in nearly half of all people who visit doctors in the wintertime. They are
generally suffering from some type of inflammation of the respiratory tract. Some coughs
are productive, bringing up mucous. Others are nonproductive, dry and hacking.
Ginger, an herbal supplement,
has been proven in studies to be cough-suppressing, as well as pain-relieving and
fever-reducing. Besides many other benefits of
Licorice, it is well known
for soothing mucous membranes and has been used for many years in the treatment of coughs
and asthma. Licorice tea is comforting and safe for normal use of up to 3 cups of tea per
day. Mullein leaf contains
throat-soothing mucilage and saponins which have an expectorant effect. Mullein has been
approved by the German Commission E for treating coughs. With a long history of use as a
treatment for colds, pertussis, and tuberculosis,
Nettles is still a good
choice for alleviating some of the discomfort of pertussis.
Fennel seed is a useful remedy
for upper respiratory catarrh as it has a calming effect on bronchitis and coughs.
Oregano Oil also has proven effective for dry coughs such as pertussis. A decoction of
Oregano leaves is also soothing.
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These
products are available from our
Virtual Store.
Our liberal
Money Back Guarantee applies.
Note:
This information is provided for educational purposes only
and is not intended to replace the use of a qualified
health care professional. We strongly recommend the use
of a physician for the diagnostic phase of any treatment.
With an accurate diagnosis in hand, we believe the consumer,
at that point, has a basic, unalienable right to seek out
factual information on all therapeutic approaches, both
orthodox and alternative, and choose those approach(es)
that are right for them. Nonetheless, a "good doctor"
should be considered a requisite starting point.To U.S. Users:
None of the products mentioned on this page have been
evaluated by the U.S. Food & Drug Administration;
therefore, they are not intended to diagnose, treat,
cure, or prevent any disease.