How to treat pertussis?

Hello there, fellow germaphobes! Do you find yourself freaking out at the slightest cough or sneeze? Well, I’ve got some bad news for you – pesky bacteria are lurking around every corner just waiting to infect us. One such culprit is pertussis, more commonly known as whooping cough (cue dramatic music). But fear not! With this ultimate guide on how to treat pertussis, we’ll have you feeling like a million bucks in no time!

What is Pertussis?

Before we dive into how to cure this little monster, let’s first understand what it is. Pertussis is a highly contagious bacterial infection of the respiratory system that causes uncontrollable coughing fits followed by a ‘whoop’ sound when breathing in (not related to Whoopi Goldberg) and believe me – it’s not healthy for your vocal cords.

How Does It Spread?

Like most illnesses (and Paris Hilton), pertussis likes to party and spread easily among those unaware of its presence. The tricky thing about this particular illness is that it can masquerade itself as just another cold. You may come into contact with someone carrying the bacteria through:

• Sneezing
• Coughing
• Touching contaminated objects

Once you’re infected, congratulations! You’ll start showing symptoms in five to ten days…just enough time for you read up on our survival tips below!

PS: Please do wash hands regularly folks!

Symptoms To Watch Out For

Now that we know how the disease spreads faster than rumours at high school prom-night(We see ya,Alexa!). Let’s talk about how easily identifiable these symptoms can be;

1. First Stage

   • Runny nose
   • Mild fever
   • Sneezing

2. Second stage

   • Coughing (This will be the barrage of your day)
   • Exhaustion
   • Shortness of breath

Heads up! The ‘Whoop’ Is Coming.

The above symptoms may vary from person to person, with some not showing any clear signs. But one hallmark of pertussis is when cough fits end with a high pitched ‘whoop’ noise sucks for you – seriously!

Treatments That Work Like Magic

So now we know what we’re dealing with let’s kick this scourge in the teeth(Not literally!). To recover from pertussis one can explore options like;

1. Antibiotics
   A dose prescribed by your doctor could help cut down on how long you carry and spread around those pesky bacteria to others around you.

2. Vaccinations
   Yup the V word, folks!
   Make sure all family members get vaccinated against the disease: It’s absolutely critical.

3. Pain control
   Sore chest muscles are common during an infection from excessive coughing.
   Use over-the-counter medications such as St John’s Wort or tiger balm to alleviate discomfort.

4. Let Your Throat Chill Out Too!
   Avoid smoking everything cigarettes, E-cigs and Shisha etc.’your first warning sign that it is no good was when they named something after home furnishings casually found in dorm rooms.’

5. Drink Water (But Not In Excess,)
   Staying hydrated helps reduce pain, soothes sore throats and strengthens one’s immune system but also remember too much water can lead to Hyponatremia(compatibility doubts arise).

6.Improve Indoor air quality;
Keep yourself in humid environments as dry conditions make it easier for germs to move through,in addition artificial scents containing toxins should be avoided at all costs especially kept away wherever there are allergies.

7.Eating Habits;(Full disclosure: eating McDonald’s will not help)
You can’t always taste food when you’re constantly coughing- so try soups or soft, easy-to-swallow foods to keep your energy up.

A Few Pointers To Keep In Mind

Before wrapping up it’s important we provide a few hygiene tips to avoid catching pertussis and infecting others;

Keep Your Distance

Don’t go around licking railings (Rockstars excluded)around town centres. If you know someone who has contracted the illness, make sure they see a doctor straightaway—this is essential!!

Cover Your Mouth Whenever You Cough Or Sneeze–Duh!

As obvious as this may sound ,covering ones mouth with one’s elbow while coughing or sneezing helps prevent droplets from spreading.

Get Vaccinated Regulary

The final might just be the most important. Get vaccinated regularly if possible.Make sure that entire family are at their healthiest best!

So folks! There you have it—the ultimate guide in how to treat pesky bacteria like pertussis using both medical and lifestyle options.
Stay Healthy,stay safe but don’t miss out on Life either.