What are the symptoms of whooping cough in children

In children, pertussis may be similar to a cold in the early stage, with paroxysmal cramps in the cramp period, inspiratory chicken cries at the end of the cough, and reduced or disappeared spasms in the convalescent period.

In the early stages of pertussis, symptoms similar to those of a cold may occur in children (the early stage of onset is also called pre-spasm). Such as cough, sneezing, runny nose, watery eyes, low-grade or moderate fever, and severe cough at night, and the onset tends to worsen.

If the cough phase progresses, the patient has paroxysmal, spasmodic cough with a deep, long, inspiratory chirp at the end of the cough and a painful facial expression.

Cough is often preceded by a trigger, and the attack is often accompanied by discomfort such as throat itching and chest tightness. It can also show symptoms such as eyelid and facial congestion and edema, cyanosis of the lips, and conjunctival hyperemia caused by increased chest pressure; or increased abdominal pressure caused by cough, manifested as urinary incontinence, hernia, etc.

During the recovery period, the number of paroxysmal coughs gradually decreases to disappear, and it lasts for 2~3 weeks to get better and heal.

Pertussis may also induce complications of the respiratory, nervous, cardiovascular, and digestive systems. Such as common tracheitis, bronchitis, pneumonia, pertussis encephalopathy, hemoptysis and hematochezia in severe children, as well as vomiting and anorexia caused by whooping cough, malnutrition and other symptoms.