Difference Between Bronchitis and Whooping Cough

1. Can whooping cough be mistaken for bronchitis?
2. Is whooping cough and bronchitis the same?
3. What are the 3 stages of whooping cough?
4. How do I know if my cough is bronchitis?
5. What can mimic whooping cough?
6. Will whooping cough go away by itself?
7. Do you cough up mucus with whooping cough?
8. Is it possible to have bronchitis without a fever?
9. How long is whooping cough contagious?
10. How do you check for whooping cough?
11. Does whooping cough damage lungs?
12. What's the difference between whooping cough and croup?

Can whooping cough be mistaken for bronchitis?

Symptoms appear between six to twenty-one days (average 7-10) after exposure to the pertussis bacteria. Among older children and adults, the disease usually results in symptoms that can be mistaken for bronchitis and Upper Respiratory Infections - persistent cough, but no whoop.

Is whooping cough and bronchitis the same?

Background: Mycoplasma pneumoniae and Bordetella pertussis are among the causative pathogens of human acute bronchitis, which usually has mild symptoms. However, if there is a co-infection, the symptoms often can be prolonged and occasionally can lead to severe respiratory complications.

What are the 3 stages of whooping cough?

This disease has 3 stages: catarrhal, paroxysmal, and convalescent. The symptoms of the catarrhal stage are mild and may go unnoticed. The paroxysmal stage of Pertussis is characterized by episodes of coughing with a distinctive "whooping" sound when breathing in (inspiration).

How do I know if my cough is bronchitis?

The most common symptoms of bronchitis include:

1. Coughing with clear, yellow or green sputum (the gunk you cough up)
2. Fatigue.
3. Wheezing.
4. Runny, stuffy nose occurring before chest congestion begins.
5. Shortness of breath, usually following a coughing jag.
6. Discomfort in the center of the chest due to cough.
7. Mild fever.

What can mimic whooping cough?

Beware: there are other diseases that can mimic pertussis:

Adenoviruses, parainfluenza and influenza viruses, enteroviruses, and respiratory syncytial virus can cause a predominantly cough illness.

Will whooping cough go away by itself?

Pertussis bacteria die off naturally after three weeks of coughing. If antibiotics are not started within that time, they are no longer recommended. Antibiotics can also be given to close contacts of persons with pertussis to prevent or lessen the symptoms.

Do you cough up mucus with whooping cough?

As soon as Bordetella pertussis reaches the lining of the airways, it multiplies and paralyzes mucus-clearing components of the lining, causing an accumulation of mucus. As the mucus builds up, the patient tries to expel it by coughing; the coughing becomes more intense because there is so much mucus.

Is it possible to have bronchitis without a fever?

Symptoms of Acute Bronchitis

One of the hallmark signs of bronchitis is a hacking cough that lasts for 5 days or more. Here are some other symptoms: Clear, yellow, white, or green phlegm. No fever, although you might have a low fever at times.

How long is whooping cough contagious?

A person with whooping cough can pass it to others as soon as they get cold-like symptoms. They can also pass it up to 3 weeks after they start coughing. If the infected person takes an appropriate antibiotic, they will not spread the germ after 5 full days of treatment.

How do you check for whooping cough?

There are several tests to confirm whooping cough. Your doctor can swab inside your nose and/or throat. A lab will check the swab for whooping cough bacteria. Your doctor also may want to get a blood sample or take a chest X-ray.

Does whooping cough damage lungs?

Complications most commonly develop in babies under the age of 6 months. Possible complications include: Lung infection (pneumonia). Other germs (bacteria) can infect the lungs more easily if you have whooping cough.

What's the difference between whooping cough and croup?

Croup is caused by a virus. There's no vaccine against croup. This condition usually resolves at home, in less than 10 days. Whooping cough is caused by a bacterial infection.