Winter and spring are the peak seasons for pertussis in children, especially those under 5 years old. Due to the long duration of the illness, which can last for 2-3 months, it is commonly known as "the hundred day cough". In order to prevent pertussis in children during the spring, parents need to learn how to identify it first.
【Identifying Pertussis in Children】
Parents should pay attention to distinguishing pertussis from a common cold cough.
It is known that infants and young children under 6 years old are the main sufferers of pertussis, with infants under 1 year old accounting for 50% of the total incidence rate.
The initial symptoms of pertussis are similar to a cold, with symptoms such as runny nose, mild cough, and fever, similar to those of upper respiratory tract infections.
Typical symptoms of pertussis include a prolonged coughing period. After about 7-10 days, the child will experience paroxysmal spasmodic coughing, inspiratory stridor, or vomiting after coughing.
These symptoms will recur intermittently. Therefore, pertussis is also one of the coughs that need to be distinguished from chronic cough.
Specifically, the early clinical symptoms of pertussis include:
As the cold symptoms subside, the cough gradually worsens. The cough is worse at night and lighter during the day, with a tendency for paroxysmal coughing. The cough is often accompanied by vomiting. If a blood test is conducted, the total white blood cell count and lymphocyte count will be significantly elevated.
【Prevention of Pertussis in Children】
1. Vaccination against pertussis
Children aged 3 months to 4 years should be vaccinated with the pertussis vaccine, which is the most effective way to prevent pertussis.
2. Maintain environmental hygiene
Maintain good environmental hygiene and keep indoor air fresh and circulated.
3. Reduce outdoor activities
During the outbreak of pertussis, do not take children to visit sick households to avoid getting infected.
4. Isolation and treatment
Children diagnosed with pertussis should be promptly isolated and treated to prevent the spread of the disease.
5. Pay attention to nutrition
In terms of diet, it is important to eat small meals and feed the child after a coughing episode to avoid vomiting and affecting the supply of nutrients. Eat easily digestible and nutritious foods and consume more fruits.
【Treatment with Traditional Chinese Medicine】
1. Bing Borax Powder
Formula: Take 1-2 grams of Bing Borax Powder, 6 grams each of Bai Bu, Huang Lian, and Lian Qiao.
Usage: Grind the ingredients into a powder and mix well. For children under 2 years old, use 1.5 grams, and for children over 3 years old, use 3 grams. Mix with chicken bile and rice vinegar to form a paste. Apply the paste to the palms of the hands and soles of the feet before bedtime, cover with gauze, and secure it. Remove the paste the next morning. Use for 10 days as one course of treatment, and repeat for 1-2 courses.
Efficacy: It can clear heat, detoxify, and relieve cough.
2. Snake Bile Compound Powder
Formula: Take 1-2 bottles of Snake Bile Compound Powder and an appropriate amount of rice vinegar.
Usage: Mix well to form a paste, and apply the paste to the palms of the hands and the navel. Wrap with a bandage. Once a day, continuously use for 5-7 days.
Efficacy: It can clear heat, detoxify, and relieve cough.
3. Dampness-Expelling and Pain-Relieving Ointment
Formula: Take 1-2 cloves of garlic and mash them into a paste.
Usage: Apply the garlic paste to the center of the dampness-expelling and pain-relieving ointment, and apply it to the Yongquan acupoint on the soles of the feet after washing the feet at night. Remove it the next morning. Apply for 3-5 times.
When using garlic for application, it is advisable to apply a layer of vegetable oil, Vaseline, or petrolatum to the application site to prevent local blistering.
Efficacy: It can relieve spasms and coughing.
