Whooping cough

• Wash your hands frequently and stay away from people with a bad cough. Ensure that children maintain simple hygiene.

• Get plenty of rest. A cool, quiet, and dark bedroom may help you relax and rest better. Adequate rest builds a healthy Immune system.

• Drink plenty of fluids. Water, Juice, and hot soups help replace fluids lost during mucus production and fever.

• Decaffeinated tea or warm beverages like soup and milk are soothing and help break up mucus.

• Eat smaller meals to avoid vomiting after coughing. Eat more frequently but smaller meals.

• Take a warm shower or bath which can temporarily help clear the lungs and ease breathing.

• Keep the home free of irritants that can trigger coughing spells, such as tobacco smoke and smoke from cooking. Use damp dusting cloths to avoid releasing dust Into the air while dusting.

• Prevent transmission. Cover your mouth when you cough and wash hands frequently; wear a mask when In a crowded area.

* Consult the doctor Immediately if prolonged coughing spells cause vomiting and a whooping sound.

The best way to prevent whooping cough is to get vaccinated. For children, Vaccinations start at 2 months and then again at 4 and 6 months. A booster vaccine is given at 15 – 18 months, and another booster at 4 to 6 years before school.

The Tdap vaccine is recommended for all adolescents, preferably at age 11 or 12 because immunity from the pertussis vaccine tends to wane after the age of 10 years. But anyone who hasn’t gotten it at age 11 or 12 can get a dose. If adults have never had the vaccine, they should definitely take it with the doctor’s consultation.