HEALTH NOTES

Hokitika Guardian, 15 June 1931, Page 7

HEALTH NOTES

WHOOPING COUGH

PROTECTING CHILDREN

(Contributed by Department o!

Health).

'An infectious disease is a disease that can be transmitted to one person from another. The manner of transmision or catching varies. It may occur by contact with a person who has the disase (as in kissing, being sneezed or coughed on, or by contact with handkerchief, dishes, clothing or other articles soiled from body discharges of the sick person. Among these infectious diseases is whooping cough, at present very prevalent amongst children. Whooping cough is one of the most infectious of the common diseases o! childhood. It is characterised by an' inllammation of the nose, throat and bronchial tubes associated with a peculiar spasmodic cough ending in a long drawn out .inspiration, accompanied by a sound known as the “whoop” from which the disease gets .its name.

MODE OF TRANSMISSION. The organisms causing the disease are disseminated in the spray and droplots of sputum emitted during coughing ana sneezing, .so that those in proximity to the sufferer run risTc of infection. Infection may be carried also through the medium of a third person or ot a domestic animal, or by the use of infected books, teacups, eating utensils, clothing etc. In general it takes from sieven to fourteen days to develop. The disease is infectious from the first catarrhal stage for an indefinite period while the cough is present. 'MODE OF ONSET’. Whooping cough starts with a slight cold, running at the nose, fever, and a dry cough. The eyes are blood-shot—-in a few days there are paroxysms of •coughing, after which the Wreath is drawn in with a sharp scraping sound —the characteristic “whoop.” In some cases the whoop is not present. In severe cases the paroxysms of coughing are frequent, distressing, and exhausting, and may be followed by vomiting. Bleeding from the nose and throat may occur. 'The tongue often becomes ulcorated underneath. The lung tissue tends to become stretched with the result that in delicate children the disease may prepare the way for tuberculosis of '.tl<j lungs. Common complications of the digestive system are diarrohoea and vomiting, so that the nutrition of the child is interfered with. •TREATMENT.

First.—Preventive : The longer a clrlci lives before whooping cough is contracted the greater is the chance of recovery and the less the risk of permanent injury. Unnecessary exposure to infection is therefore never justifiable. During the early catarrhal stage the disease is readily communicable, and as tne diagnosis often calinot be made with certainty, measures to p'r'evelit spread of infection are instituted with difficulty. A child suffering from whooping cough should be excluded from school, and isolated from othei 1 children and from all members of the family who have not had the disease. Children who have been exposed to risk of infection should be ‘excluded from school and association with other children for three weeks from the date of exposure. Particular care must be used to prevent the infection of infants, del’cate clrldron, and those predisposed to tuberculosis. The patient must be isolated until the characteristic spasmodic cough and the whoop : ng has ceased for at least two we'eks, or an the case of persistent whooping for not less than six weeks from the commencement of a spasmodic cough. Secondlv—Treatment of Patient. If your child shows the first signs of whooping cough call the doctor and follow his linstructioiis. 'lf possible select a largo, light, well ventilated room with fireplace for sick room, as abundance of fresh a:r Is desirable. During Dae acute stage the room should be kept at a temperature of from 60 (kg. to 70 deg. >F. The. use three or four times daily of inhalations of •Friar’s balsam of eucalyptus (1 teaspoonful to pint of boiling wafer) is often Helpful. Whem the temperature becomes normal, if there are no compl'ca irons, it is unnecessary for the child to be confined to bed. During the summer he should be kept in the op n as must as possible. Food should be light and easily digested. An egg and milk well beaten and flavoured with a littie sugar and vanilla makes a good meal. Care should be taken that the bowels move daily. Woollen underclothing should be used because of the tendency for the patient to perspire during the paroxysms with subsequent tendency to chilling. In cases where the abdominal muscles are weak, as in young and d licate children, the frequency of the paroxysms and attacks of vomiting may be much dminished by the use of a close fitting abdominal bind r. For severe paroxysms of coughing medical advice should be obtained. If possible, after severe whooping cough, in order to ensure complete recovery, children should be sent to the seaside or country for a good holiday. , Precautions of the sick room—ail secretions should be received in paper or cloth and burn cl. Through carelessness .in this respect the disease is spread. Separate cups, glasses, plates and spoons, should be used in the sick room. Bed linen; bed clothing, towels, etc., should not be sent to the laundry until after boiling or soaking overnight in " a solution of carbolic acid (strength 1 in 20). Remember that carelessness spreads whooping cough. Be sure that your child does not spread disease and possible death to others. Do not let him associate with other children until he is perfectly well.