Treatment of Whooping Cough | Pertussis (Whooping Cough)

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Symptoms </a> <a data-post-id="11939" href="/pertussis/vaccines/index.html" tabindex="0"> Vaccination </a> <a data-post-id="11533" href="/pertussis/treatment/index.html" tabindex="0"> Treatment </a> <a data-post-id="11470" href="/pertussis/outbreaks/index.html" tabindex="0"> Outbreaks </a> <a class="view-all" href="/pertussis/site.html"> View All </a> </div> </div> </header> <main class="container cdc-main" role="main" aria-label="Main Content Area"> <section class="cdc-page-title-bar cdc-page-offset noindex"> <time class="cdc-page-title-bar__item cdc-page-title-bar__item--date" datetime="2024-04-02 00:00:00"> April 2, 2024 </time> </section> <div class="cdc-page-feature cdc-page-feature--ssi"></div> <div class="cdc-page-title cdc-page-offset syndicate"> <h1>Treatment of Whooping Cough</h1> </div> <div id="content" class="cdc-page-content cdc-page-offset syndicate container"> <div class="cdc-dfe-body "> <div class="cdc-dfe-body__top "> <div class="dfe-section dfe-section--page-summary summary-list" data-section="cdc_treatment_page_summary"> <div class="dfe-section__header"> <h2>Key points</h2> </div> <div class="dfe-section__content"> <ul class="nested-list"> <li class="level-1">Early antibiotic treatment for pertussis (whooping cough) may make the infection less serious.</li> <li class="level-1">Sometimes treatment in a hospital may be necessary if symptoms become serious.</li> <li class="level-1">Most whooping cough symptoms can be managed at home.</li> </ul> </div> <div class="dfe-section__image" id="page-summary-image"> <figure class="dfe-image dfe-image__large"><div class="image-container aspect-ratio-16-9 calculated-ratio-16-9"><img src="/pertussis/media/images/2024/04/Pertussis-baby-stethoscope.jpg" alt="A doctor uses a stethoscope to listen to a baby's lungs."></div></figure> </div> <div id="nav-buttons"> </div> </div> </div> <div class="cdc-dfe-body__center "> <div class="dfe-section" data-section="cdc_treatment_overview"> <a class="onThisPageAnchor" id="cdc_treatment_overview-treatment" name="Treatment" title="Treatment"></a><h2>Treatment</h2> <p>Healthcare providers generally treat whooping cough with antibiotics. There are several antibiotics available for treatment.</p> <p>It's very important to <strong>treat whooping cough early</strong>, before coughing fits begin.</p> <p>Treating whooping cough early can</p> <ul class="nested-list"> <li class="level-1">Make the illness less serious</li> <li class="level-1">Help prevent spreading the bacteria that cause it to others</li> </ul> <p>Starting treatment after three weeks of illness is unlikely to help even though most people will still have symptoms. By then, the infection is gone (the bacteria aren't in the body any longer). The ongoing symptoms are because the airways were damaged and take time to fully heal.</p> </div> <div class="dfe-section" data-section="cdc_treatment_types"> <a class="onThisPageAnchor" id="cdc_treatment_types-getting-treatment-in-a-hospital" name="Getting%20treatment%20in%20a%20hospital" title="Getting treatment in a hospital"></a><h2>Getting treatment in a hospital</h2> <p>Whooping cough can sometimes be very serious and can cause complications, especially for babies. People with serious illness or complications need care in the hospital.</p> <h3>What to expect</h3> <p>Hospital treatment of whooping cough usually focuses on</p> <ul class="nested-list"> <li class="level-1">Keeping breathing passages clear</li> <li class="level-1">Monitoring breathing and giving oxygen, if needed</li> <li class="level-1">Preventing or treating dehydration, via fluids through the vein</li> </ul> </div> <div class="dfe-section" data-section="cdc_treatment_get_teatment"> <a class="onThisPageAnchor" id="cdc_treatment_get_teatment-managing-symptoms-at-home" name="Managing%20symptoms%20at%20home" title="Managing symptoms at home"></a><h2>Managing symptoms at home</h2> <p>Most people with whooping cough can manage their symptoms at home. </p> <ul class="nested-list"> <li class="level-1">Take antibiotics exactly as prescribed by your healthcare provider.</li> <li class="level-1">Keep your home free from things that cause coughing like<ul> <li class="level-2">Smoke</li> <li class="level-2">Dust</li> <li class="level-2">Chemical fumes</li> </ul> </li> <li class="level-1">Use a clean, cool mist humidifier to loosen mucus and soothe the cough.</li> <li class="level-1">Eat small meals every few hours to help prevent vomiting.</li> <li class="level-1">Get plenty of fluids, including water, juices, and fruits.</li> </ul> <p><strong>Don't take</strong> <strong>cough medicine</strong> unless your healthcare provider recommends it. Giving cough medicine probably won't help and isn't usually recommended for children younger than 4 years old.</p> </div> </div> <div class="cdc-dfe-body__right page-right-rail"> <aside class="page-right-rail__static noindex" role="complementary"> <div class="on-this-page " data-sid=""> <h2 class="on-this-page__heading"> On This Page </h2> <div class="card-body"> <ul> <li><a href="#cdc_treatment_overview-treatment">Treatment</a></li> <li><a href="#cdc_treatment_types-getting-treatment-in-a-hospital">Getting treatment in a hospital</a></li> <li><a href="#cdc_treatment_get_teatment-managing-symptoms-at-home">Managing symptoms at home</a></li> </ul> </div> </div> </aside> <aside class="page-right-rail__dynamic noindex" role="complementary"> <div data-related-nav></div> </aside> </div> </div> <div data-journey-next></div> <section class="container page-mobile-bar"> <time class="page-mobile-bar__item page-mobile-bar__item--date" datetime="2024-04-02 00:00:00"> April 2, 2024 </time> 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