Whooping cough is an upper respiratory infection that can affect babies, children, and adults. Here, we take a look at the causes, symptoms, and treatments of this infection. Then we discuss five of the most applicable supplements which could help mitigate whooping cough.
What Is Whooping Cough?
Whooping cough, also called pertussis, is a contagious upper respiratory infection which can affect people of any age. It occurs when the bacterium Bordetella pertussis invades the body and causes the airways to become inflamed. This leads to excessive mucus buildup, and causes severe coughing.
A typical course of whooping cough takes place in three stages. First, symptoms similar to that of a common cold appear, including runny nose, sore throat, mild fever, and an occasional cough. This lasts for a week or two. Babies and infants who contract whooping cough might struggle to breathe – in such cases, seek immediate medical attention.
The second stage consists of intermittent coughing fits (paroxysms) from excessive mucus present in the airways. In a coughing fit, someone will cough repeatedly and might make a high-pitched “whoop” sound when catching their breath. These can happen during the day or night, and can last up to six weeks. Coughing fits will increase in frequency, and then level off and decrease in frequency. The third stage of whooping cough is gradual recovery, which can also take up to 6 weeks.
Standard prescribed treatment for whooping cough is the use of antibiotic medication. Antibiotics make you less infectious, and could also reduce symptom severity. Rest and hydration are also extremely important.
5 Supplements for Whooping Cough
Certain dietary supplements can help the body respond to a whooping cough infection. These are not a replacement for medical treatment, but they can still be of help.
Vitamin D supplementation can help against whooping cough on a baseline level because vitamin D supports the immune system. However, a portion of people have a subtle genetic variation in the way their cells absorb vitamin D, making them more susceptible to infections like whooping cough. These individuals will benefit even more from taking vitamin D because their bodies need to ingest more of this vitamin in order to support their immune systems.
Quercetin is a plant-derived antioxidant known for its ability to help repair lung damage due to chronic infections. This makes it useful for infections which cause fits of coughing, such as whooping cough. Quercetin can also reduce inflammation throughout the body.
Turmeric provides multiple benefits which can aid the body in handling whooping cough. Firstly, turmeric has antioxidant and anti-inflammatory properties which can help the body defend itself against an infection. It is also a source of potassium and other healthy vitamins and minerals. For these reasons, turmeric is one of the best herbal supplements which could help in cases of whooping cough.
Vitamin C can be helpful for many illnesses and infections, and there is evidence to suggest that taking vitamin C could be specifically helpful for whooping cough.
Echinacea is an herb that could potentially help support the immune system and alleviate coughing from whooping cough. Echinacea should be taken with discretion because it can interact with some medications.
If you or someone in your family experiences whooping cough, or signs thereof, then these five supplements could be of help in overcoming this infection. You should always talk to your healthcare provider in cases of whooping cough before starting a new supplement regumen.