Whooping cough is an infectious bacterial illness that affects the respiratory passages. The disease is most contagious during the cold-like initial phase (catarrhal phase). In its early stages, pertussis is indistinguishable from the many colds common in children. However, after one or two weeks, the illness gets progressively worse. Worldwide there are over 60 million cases of pertussis a year with more than half a million deaths. Whooping cough is still a very serious disease when it occurs in children under the age of one year old.

Whooping Cough is spread by contact with an airborne discharge from the mucous membranes of an infected person. The disease is treated with antibiotics like erythromycin, azithromycin and clarithromycin. These antibiotics result in the person becoming less infectious but in the majority of cases does not change the outcome of the disease.

The whooping cough vaccine received as a child eventually wears off, leaving most teenagers and adults susceptible to the infection during an outbreak. - and there continue to be regular outbreaks. July 2010, six infants died in California. In addition, children aren't fully immune to whooping cough until they've received at least three shots, leaving those 6 months and younger at greatest risk of contracting the infection The reason for that may well be So what are these complications particularly occurring in children?.

Whooping cough, also called pertussis, often presents itself with symptoms similar to the common cold. You may have a runny nose, sneeze a lot and have a cough. A slight fever and a dry cough are also likely to be present. This lasts for about a week, then the symptoms worsen. Coughing can become so severe it causes the face to be red, and thick phlegm is likely. The cough can also cause vomiting and may prevent adequate oxygen supplies. When that happens, the face and fingernails will turn a bluish color. The disease got its name from the type of breathing. Taking air in after coughing can cause a high pitched whooping noise.

Whooping cough however is easier to detect or diagnose today than it was a decade or so ago, thanks to improved channels of passing information and improved health care services. The Government is working hand in hand with these institutions to create awareness on the importance of immunizing young children against this deadly cough, which reduces the chances of catching the illness.

TCM reduces cough and sputum, nourishes the lungs, returns body fluids to normal levels, and rebuild and support your child's immune system. IT is reassuring to know you have options available and TCM is here for you and your family.The Whooping Cough (or Pertussis) has become more and more prevalent in our society because the lack of knowledge that the population has about it. This illness is usually confused with the common cold because the early stage symptoms are practically identical. The major difference is that after the common cold reaches the peak of stage one ( runny nose, nasal congestion, sneezing, the occasional cough, and the possibility of a low-grade fever) it enters into remission, whereas the Whooping Cough moves into the second stage. The second stage includes intense and drawn out coughing attacks

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