Coughing is one of the most common illnesses affecting children, especially toddlers. However, parents should be cautious if their child experiences a persistent cough.
A persistent cough refers to a cough that does not go away despite taking over-the-counter medication. This type of cough requires special attention as it may indicate a more serious illness, such as pneumonia, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), or whooping cough, which requires immediate medical treatment.
To help you recognize other signs of these chronic illnesses, here’s what you need to know, Moms!
Whooping Cough
Whooping cough is a highly contagious bacterial infection of the lungs and respiratory tract. Children with this illness may experience coughing for up to three months. Due to its prolonged duration, whooping cough is often referred to as the “hundred-day cough.”
Whooping cough can be life-threatening for the elderly and young children, especially infants who are too young to receive the pertussis vaccine. It is important to note that the first dose of the pertussis vaccine is usually given to babies at the age of two months as part of the DPT (diphtheria, pertussis, and tetanus) vaccine.
The “hundred-day cough” is characterized by severe, continuous coughing fits, followed by a deep inhalation through the mouth, producing a “whooping” sound. The first phase of whooping cough is the most contagious. In the second phase, the risk of death becomes significantly higher, particularly for the elderly.
Pneumonia
Pneumonia is caused by the bacterium Streptococcus pneumoniae. This disease is an infection of the lung’s gas-exchanging units (alveoli), commonly referred to as lung inflammation, where the lungs fill with fluid or pus.
In Indonesia, pneumonia is also known as “wet lungs.” The inflammation affecting the air sacs can occur in one or both lungs. As a result, the tiny air sacs at the end of the respiratory tract in the lungs swell and become filled with fluid.
Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease (COPD)
Another potential cause of a persistent cough in children is chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD). This condition leads to excessive mucus production in the lungs. The most common symptom of COPD is a prolonged cough accompanied by yellow or greenish phlegm.
There are several types of COPD, with emphysema being one of the most common. Emphysema can cause chronic coughing and affects a large number of people. According to the National Health Interview Survey in the United States, over 2 million people in the country suffer from emphysema.
Tuberculosis (TB)
Tuberculosis (TB) is a disease that primarily affects the lungs. Parents need to be extra cautious, as TB can be fatal if not treated properly. Additionally, it can spread to others around the infected person.
One of the common symptoms of TB is a persistent cough that lasts for three weeks or more. This lung disease is caused by an infection with the Mycobacterium tuberculosis bacteria.
TB is transmitted through droplets from an infected person’s saliva. However, transmission requires prolonged and close contact with the infected individual, making it less contagious than the common flu.
It is important to note that Mycobacterium tuberculosis can multiply and damage the alveoli, the tiny air sacs in the lungs where oxygen and carbon dioxide exchange occurs. Without prompt and proper treatment, the bacteria can spread through the bloodstream and attack the kidneys, spinal cord, and brain, ultimately leading to death.
