Preventing Whooping Cough in Children in Spring
Spring is a season when children are prone to contracting a specific cough disease. Clinical features include paroxysmal spasmodic coughing and a characteristic inspiratory whoop after coughing. In Traditional Chinese Medicine, this is called "Dunke" (whooping cough). During coughing episodes, children suffer greatly, often coughing dozens of times consecutively, turning red-faced, with tears and runny nose flowing, only stopping after expelling phlegm or vomiting. Episodes recur throughout the day—several times to dozens of times. The illness is hard to cure, sometimes lasting two to three months, hence the name "Hundred-day Cough." It commonly affects children under three years old, with newborns and infants at higher risk of pneumonia. Without complications, prognosis is generally good, and lifelong immunity develops after infection. Some parents mistakenly believe "whooping cough" lasts exactly 100 days and that treatment is ineffective, adopting a passive waiting attitude. However, early treatment and proper care can shorten the course. If left untreated, coughing may persist for two to three months, leading to facial swelling, grayish complexion, red eyes, nosebleeds, malnutrition, weakened immunity, and possible complications like pneumonia or encephalitis. Simple herbal remedies for whooping cough include:
(1) 6 grams each of Stemonae Root, Cortex Mori Albi, and Apricot Kernel, decocted in water, add 10 grams rock sugar, divide into three doses daily.
(2) 10 grams each of Dried Loquat Shell and Loquat Leaf (remove hairs), decocted in water, add 15 grams rock sugar, divide into three doses daily.
During outbreaks, use two cloves of garlic, 30 grams of Chinese cabbage root, and 60 grams of sugar, decocted as tea, helpful for prevention.
During treatment, maintain good care: ensure fresh air and sunlight in the room. Avoid smoking indoors and unnecessary stimuli. Provide easy-to-digest, nutrient-rich food. Disinfect utensils by sun exposure or boiling. Treat children kindly—tell stories or play games to distract them and reduce coughing episodes. Whooping cough is contagious, with strongest infectivity in the first half-month of illness. Isolation of infected children is essential.