When to Seek Care for Your Child’s Cough
If your child has a cough, how do you know when it’s time to see the doctor? “We're seeing rises in RSV and flu as well as pertussis, so it is a little confusing to really know what you're dealing with,” said Duke Health pediatrician Mary Beth Ogle Helton, MD, FAAP. Here, she explains when to take your child to the pediatrician.
Vaccines Can Prevent Whooping Cough
Pertussis, commonly known as whooping cough, is caused by a bacterial infection in the lungs. It spreads easily from person to person and peaks during the fall and winter when more people are huddled indoors, in closer proximity to others.
Children are vaccinated against whooping cough starting at two months of age. The last in the vaccine series is given when they are adolescents. However, Dr. Helton explained, vaccination rates have declined in recent years. “That may be why the trend in whooping cough is going up,” she said. Even if you received the first series of vaccinations, Dr Helton said adults and pregnant women should be vaccinated again to maintain protection.
Symptoms of Pertussis Can Last for Several Weeks
For adolescents and healthy adults, pertussis may not be a big deal. Some people may not even realize they have whooping cough. However, young children and babies can experience severe symptoms that could lead to hospitalization or even death. “The younger the child, the more vulnerable they are,” said Dr. Helton.
Whopping cough typically starts out looking like a cold. Eventually, a cough caused by pertussis will get stronger and turn into coughing fits. These bouts of uncontrollable and repetitive coughing cause shortness of breath and you may hear a high-pitched whooping sound as your child tries to catch their breath. The intense coughing can lead to vomiting or cause the skin around their mouth to turn blue from lack of oxygen.
Early Treatment if Whooping Cough Is Most Effective
The younger your child is, the sooner you should take them to the pediatrician if they have a cough lasting more than a week or a few days. “Whooping cough is treatable with antibiotics if you catch it early,” said Dr. Helton. Early treatment can help decrease the severity of symptoms and lower the risk of spreading it to others.
If your child has been exposed to someone with whooping cough, take them to the pediatrician right away. If you’re unsure about their exposure, monitor your child’s symptoms closely. “If they're showing any signs of distress, difficulty breathing, fever, color changes, lethargy, irritability, or dehydration they need to be seen by a doctor,” said Dr. Helton.
If you are concerned about your child’s symptoms, reach out to your pediatrician’s office. If you are a Duke patient, you can ask questions via My Duke Health or request a video visit so your child can be assessed in the comfort of home.
