If your child is dealing with a cough, it’s normally not a huge concern, but it’s always important to make sure they get the care and treatment that they need. There are situations where your child’s cough could be a severe problem. If you notice that your child has a severe hacking cough that is then followed by a high-pitched intake of breath, they may be dealing with whooping cough. Dr. Rachel Chatters at Chatters Pediatrics in Lake Charles, LA, can explain what whooping cough is and why it’s important that your child is vaccinated for this disease.
What Is Whooping Cough?
Whooping cough is a respiratory tract infection that is highly contagious and can severely impact your child’s life. Whooping cough can cause severe coughing attacks and can make your child vomit or feel extreme fatigue. It can be hard for your child to breathe as they’re dealing with such an intense cough.
It’s crucial that you talk to our pediatrician in Lake Charles, LA, about vaccinating for whooping cough. If you or your child aren’t vaccinated for whooping cough, it could lead to severe complications and in some instances, death. Whooping cough can even cause bruised or cracked ribs and hernias to occur because of the strenuous coughing.
Infants may not always deal with a severe cough, but it can cause pauses in their breathing and lead to brain damage in the future. It’s important to make sure that you’re doing all that you can to prevent whooping cough and keep the issue eradicated in your child’s life.
Contact Our Pediatrician Today
Find out more about this disease. Contact Dr. Rachel Chatters at Chatters Pediatrics in Lake Charles, LA, to learn more about whooping cough and how to protect your child. Call for more information and to schedule an appointment today at (337) 475-9009.