Whooping Cough - Cough with a Whooping Sound
Whooping cough or pertussis, as it is called in medical parlance, is an infectious disease. It commonly affects infants during the first year of life, and children upto five years of age. In some cases children upto twelve years may also be affected. The disease can cause serious complications in the lungs.
Causes and Symptoms of Whooping Cough
The child develops a cold with a marked cough which becomes more severe and spasmodic after a few days. At the end of this spasm, the child gives a characteristic whoop. As the paroxysms of coughing increase, the disease becomes less infective. Vomiting, which is frequent, may lead to the bursting of small blood vessels in the nose or the conjunctiva of the eyes. The disease may last for several weeks. The serious complications of whooping cough are broncho -pneumonia and infection of the middle ear. Convulsions may also occur in severe cases.
Whooping cough is caused by the micro organisms Bordetella pertussis and Bordetella para pertussis. Of these, the first one gives rise to more severe infections. The disease is very infectious and spreads by droplet spray.
Home Remedies
Garlic:
Garlic is one of the most effective remedies for whooping cough. The syrup of garlic should be given in doses of five drops to a teaspoon, two or three times a day, for treating this condition. It should be given more often if the coughing spells are frequent and violent
Ginger:
Ginger is another effective remedy for whooping cough. A teaspoon of fresh ginger juice, mixed with a cup of fenugreek decoction and honey to taste, is an excellent diaphoretic. The fenugreek decoction can be made by boiling one teaspoon of seeds in 250 ml of water till it is reduced to half.
Radish:
A syrup prepared by mixing a teaspoon of fresh radish juice with an equal quantity of honey and a little rock salt, is beneficial in the treatment of this disease. It should be given thrice daily.
Almond Oil:
Almond oil is valuable in whooping cough. Five drops of almond oil should be mixed with ten drops each of fresh white onion juice and ginger juice, and taken thrice daily for a fortnight It will provide relief.
Calamus:
The herb calamus is another valuable remedy for whooping cough. A pinch of the powder of the roasted herb should be given with a teaspoon of honey. Being antispasmodic, it prevents severe bouts of coughing. For smaller children, the dose must be proportionately smaller.
Dietary Considerations
At the beginning of the treatment, the child should. be kept on orange juice and water for a few days. The child may be put on an all-fruit diet for a few more days after the more serious symptoms have cleared up.
Other Measures
Epsom salts baths will be beneficial during the initial juice and water fast. In case of constipation, a mild laxative, preferably castor oil, should be administered. This will also relieve the pain in the abdominal muscles, which are usually strained during the paroxysms of coughing. The patient should be protected against exposure to cold and moisture as they are likely to aggravate the condition.
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