Whooping Cough Symptoms

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention states that there are thousands of cases of whooping cough, also called pertussis, reported each year, but studies have indicated that the actual number of cases of the disease throughout the nation is likely much higher.

This serious infection can lead to a variety of complications including abdominal hernias, broken blood vessels, and cracked ribs or torn muscles as a result of the severity of the cough. In elderly adults who are already dealing with an immune system that is lower and less effective than those of younger adults, this infection can also make them more vulnerable to further illnesses and infections.

By recognizing the symptoms of this illness early, you can help to ensure that your senior gets the medical attention and treatment that they need to help them manage this issue in the best way possible.

Signs and Symptoms of Whooping Cough

Some of the signs and symptoms of the early stages of whooping cough include:

• Nasal congestion
• Runny nose
• Cough
• Fever
• Red eyes
• Watering of the eyes

After one to two weeks, the symptoms can increase to include a cough so severe that is can cause:

• Vomiting
• Pervasive fatigue
• Red or blue discoloration of the face
• The tell-tale “whoop” sound at the end of each episode.

It is important to note, however, that adults do not always develop this characteristic sound. Rather, your parent might only have a serious, hacking cough. This coughing can last for 10 weeks or more, causing serious decline in quality of life and increasing risk of other health complications.

Contact Sonas for Home Health Care Services in Florida

If you are concerned that your elderly loved one is at particular risk for suffering from whooping cough or another serious health issue, or they are dealing with a condition or disease that increases their vulnerability to such issues, now may be the ideal time for you to consider starting senior homecare for them. A senior homecare services provider can be with your aging parent on a customized schedule that is right for their needs, as well as the care that you give them.

This means that they will receive the support, assistance, care, and encouragement that they need to address their needs and help them to remain safe, comfortable, healthy, and happy as they age in place. When it comes to protecting your aging parent and helping them to avoid serious health issues, this senior homecare provider can help your parent to understand the risks that they are facing and what they can do to reduce those risks.

They can then support them in remaining compliant with the guidelines and recommendations given to them by their doctor, and in making good lifestyle choices, such as eating a healthy diet, staying active, and keeping up with an aggressive germ control approach.

A homecare provider can also provide valuable monitoring that will enable them to detect any new or worsened symptoms that they are suffering so that you can ensure that they get the medical attention that they need promptly to reduce their risk for serious complications.

If you or an aging loved one are considering home care services in Florida, contact the caring staff at Sonas Home Care. Call today (888) 592-5855.

Sources
Mayo Clinic
National Foundation for Infectious Diseases
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention

Jillian Miller BSN, RN

Director of Nursing at Sonas Home Health Care

This blog was reviewed by Jillian Miller BSN, RN — Director of Nursing for Sonas Home Health Care’s Tampa Bay market — for clinical accuracy. Jillian Miller has been a nurse for 16 years — working primarily in pediatrics. She believes the best part of working with the pediatric population is when you see smiles from clients when you first enter the room. She loves seeing the difference you can make in families’ lives while providing the best care possible for them.