Whooping Cough

Symptoms

Whooping cough, or pertussis, is a children's disease which begins as a cold, with a runny nose and a hacking cough that is worse at night. After one or two weeks, the cough becomes attacks of short coughs that end in a long, noisy, difficult gasp for air, in which the struggle for oxygen can be heard. This gasp is known as the whoop. Typically, gagging and retching continue until a sticky mucus is coughed up from the bronchial tubes. The number of daily coughing episodes varies, depending on the severity of the condition and the emotional state of the child. The anxiety caused by the attacks aggravates the condition.

The attacks can be exhausting and cause weight loss. Usually the condition runs its course over an eight-week period. The period of the whoop lasts about two weeks, while the condition will last for up to six weeks. Convalescence is very long, possibly months. During this time, the body is most susceptible to other illnesses because the immune system has not yet recovered. Some immunity is provided after contracting whooping cough, and subsequent illnesses resolve more quickly and easily. Adults are less likely to contract the illness, though they are not immune.

Whooping cough is not dangerous to children over the age of two. Infants who contract whooping cough should be monitored professionally, as the condition can be fatal in these cases.

Whooping Cough Causes

Whooping cough is a highly infectious disease caused by bacteria, and spread through direct contact or coughing. The person is infectious before the symptoms begin, which is often when the bacteria are passed on, until about four weeks into the illness. The bacteria leading to whooping cough cause an increase in mucus production.

Whooping Cough Nutrition

A liquid diet of fresh vegetable or fruit juice, vegetable broth and water is recommended during the acute stage of whooping cough. Cabbage soup and carrot juice are particularly soothing. Radish helps release mucus and ease cramps. For a persistent whooping cough, take a syrup made from finely grated radish and raw cane sugar. Press the radish to obtain juice, then add sugar to form a syrup. Take one teaspoon three times daily. Small, light meals that are easily digested and low in fat, such as mashed potatoes with puréed carrots and a poached egg, are recommended. Mashed bananas are good for babies.

Whooping Cough Nutritional Supplements

Vitamin C is well known for its ability to stimulate the immune system and act against viruses and bacteria. When supplemented in the early stages, this vitamin effectively prevents whooping cough from developing into the more serious spasmodic stage. Vitamin C is used in all stages of the illness to support the body in its fight. If diarrhea occurs, the body has absorbed its capacity of vitamin C, and dosages should be reduced. Since this disease is caused by harmful bacteria, take acidophilus to provide healthy bacteria, which fight infection. Beta-carotene helps heal the mucous membranes damaged by continual coughing.

Children's daily dosages:

Most Important

Vitamin C, with bioflavonoids, age three to six, 150 mg three times daily; age seven to eleven, 300 mg three times daily

Beta-carotene, age three to six, 2,500 IU daily; age seven to eleven, 4,000 IU daily

Helpful

Acidophilus complex, age three to six, 1 capsule daily; age seven to eleven, 1 capsule twice daily

Whooping Cough Herbal Remedies

Herbal remedies can help speed healing of whooping cough.

Lobelia helps loosen mucus and is very good for relieving dry, hacking coughs. Dilute 5-10 drops of tincture in water.

Black cohosh also helps loosen and expel mucus. Take 3 cups of tea or 20 drops of tincture in water daily.

Alternate hayseed packs with horseradish or mustard poultices. To prevent burning skin, leave hot poultices on for ten minutes maximum.

Add fir infusion or 10 drops of thyme oil or tea tree oil to bath water to speed healing of damaged membranes.

Fennel stimulates the cilia of the respiratory passages to help remove mucus. Drink 3 cups of fennel tea daily.

Whooping Cough Homeopathy

In the beginning stages of whooping cough, before the whoop is evident, use the remedies listed under cough or colds. Once the whooping cough stage has appeared, choose one of the remedies below in a 6c strength, repeating four times daily or every few minutes during an attack.

Drosera is one of the most indicated remedies for whooping cough, and should be used if other remedies are not indicated. Signs for Drosera are violent, painful coughing spasms that cause suffocation to the point where the face turns blue or the nose bleeds. The cough is worse just after lying down at night and after midnight. The child will hold the chest in pain and feel quite restless.

Ipecacuana is useful in a typical whooping cough case that causes suffocation, retching, nausea and vomiting, that is worse at night. Use Ipecacuana when nosebleeds are caused by the cough.

Coccus cacti will help remedy attacks that occur at night and when getting overly warm in bed. Cool air and cold drinks help relieve. The mucus vomited is very tough and stringy.

Cuprum is a remedy for cramping and spasms. It is useful for whooping cough attacks which get worse at night and after emotional upsets. The fingers and toes especially tend to cramp. As with Coccus cacti, cold drinks often help the cough.

Kalium bichromium is most useful for treating whooping cough with a lot of thick, stringy mucus which is difficult to cough up. Typically, the mucus is a yellow or green color and the cough is worse at night and upon waking.

Whooping Cough Tissue Salts

Tissue salts are not applicable to this condition.

Whooping Cough External/Physical Therapies

Bedrest is essential, as partial healing can result in a serious ear infection later.

Upper-body or complete body washes daily or every second day support toxin elimination.

Short, slow walks in the fresh air every day help speed recovery.

Whooping Cough Other Suggestions

The whooping cough vaccine is not effective and often produces serious side-effects.

Whooping Cough Available Brand Name Products

Nutritional Supplements

Ascorbate/Non-acidic Vitamin C

(Ester-C)

Big Friends Children's Chewable

(Natural Factors)

C Extra (Natural Factors)

Other Nutritional Supplements

Bee Propolis (Natural Factors)

Herbal Remedies

FloraGuard Echinacea Tincture (Flora)

Schoenenberger Black Radish Cellular Plant Juice (Flora)

Salus Alpenkraft Herbal Cough Syrup (Flora)

Schoenenberger Echinacea Cellular Plant Juice (Flora)

Echinacea Fresh Juice Extract

(Natural Factors)

Echinacea Tincture (Natural Factors)

Black Cohosh Root (Nature's Herbs)

Fennel Seed (Nature's Herbs)

Homeopathy

Kali Bichromium (Nelsons Homeopathy)

Drosera (Nelsons Homeopathy)