Not Just A Disease That Affects Children – Whooping Cough Outbreak Places Older Adults At Risk

 

Outbreaks of whooping cough, or the medical term “pertussis,” usually occur every two to five years. Whooping cough is an infection of the respiratory system that is highly contagious. Symptoms begin that are similar to that of a common cold. You may get a runny nose, fever, a cough, and start sneezing. Then the symptoms progress as the cough develops into a dry, persistent cough. The person infected will have coughing spells lasting for more than a minute. At this time, the person may turn red or even blue in color from coughing so intensely. When the coughing spell is complete, when breathing in, one may notice a whooping sound.

The number of cases in California is up 500%, making this the worst year for whooping cough cases since 1958.

Although infants and children are the groups at highest risk, seniors, immune-compromised
persons, persons with neuromuscular disease, persons who have severe underlying disease such as the chronic lung disease, orcystic fibrosis, or contacts who may transmit pertussis to a high risk person, such as healthcare or childcare workers are also likely victims.

The disease can be debilitating in older adults, and after two weeks, the antibiotic treatment doesn’t work well for the symptoms.

Vaccine use in adults is currently minimal, anyone 7 years or older who was never been vaccinated or whose immunization has begun to wear off should check with their healthcare provider. For the first time, those older than 64 are being urged to get the booster as well.

Epidemics can spread quickly in institutionalized settings such as assisted living or retirement communities, so special attention should be given to any cold or flu like symptoms. See you healthcare provider early and keep in mind that pertussis is frequently misdiagnosed.

Assisted living marketing services are provided by 800Seniors.com, a leading referral
system in the assisted living industry.  We provide the perfect match between seniors
searching for a facility and assisted living facilities nationwide and take the confusion and

hassle out of the search. For more information, call 1-800-768-8221. For more information, visit Assisted living Orange County.

About the Author:Gloria Ha’o Schneider is a Los Angeles-based freelance writer who has written advertising / sales and product development copy for major gift industry companies, website content, greeting cards and merchandising copy, senior-related issues and has a passion for writing human-interest stories.

Using A Bronchitis Natural Treatment As Additional Help

It is possible to make use of a bronchitis natural treatment. Since treating bronchitis is one of those ailments that can be remedied without any form of oral medication over time, steam would be the answer here. By breathing in steam from a hot shower, or a steam tub with your head over it, covered by a towel, are just a couple of ways for bronchitis natural treatment. There are some methods too in homeopathic with oils and rubs. It may however take longer to get rid of the bronchitis with the bronchitis natural treatment but it will still work. It is important to remember it is the bacterium that needs to be treated with an antibiotic if you are recommended to use them, not the bronchitis itself. A natural treatment of bronchitis may be if you take tea brews at your home.

If you are making your own home brew as your bronchitis natural treatment, you would need to know what ingredients to add to break down the mucous and also what can loosen mucous in your bronchial tubes.

Making Your Own Brew As Bronchitis Natural Treatment

If you are making a tea as your bronchitis home treatment, adding a pinch of fresh grated ginger can boost your immune system while stimulating you to cough up the mucous. Lemon juice can also break down the phlegm so it is easier to cough up and spit out. While drinking milk and liquids that cause excessive mucous build up in your throat and mouth, should be avoided at this time, but lots of liquids are essential to prevent dehydration.

Honey is also another good ingredient in your brew; it is a natural antibiotic and will also help with having to drink the gingery tea you may have made by making it sweeter. There are other ingredients that you could use but are not so often used as the everyday self help medication. If you do have a wet cough still, you could use a teaspoon of honey with a drop of eucalyptus oil on it. It may feel hot for a short while as you throat may already be raw, but be assured it will help get rid of excess mucous in the throat within two days or so.

Not only does the camphor or eucalyptus loosen the phlegm, but it will also help open the airways of your nostrils making breathing a bit easier. By rubbing your throat and your back where your lungs are situated, with camphor would also help loosen and relax muscles that would by now still be painful from all the insistent coughing.

A Guide To Asthmatic Bronchitis Medication

Bronchitis is the inflammation of bronchial tubes and succeeding tissues. Bronchial tubes are responsible for straining the air before it reaches lungs, and these tubes are covered with small hair-like things called cilia. When exposed to irritants for longer durations, they can cause inflammation and contagion.

Immunological abnormalities, bronchial hyperactivity and life-threatening childhood infections can lead to asthmatic bronchitis. A person is easily affected by asthmatic bronchitis if he suffers from haunting asthma and habitual bronchitis.

Common Asthmatic Bronchitis Medications

It is best for the asthmatic bronchitis patients to deflect the irritants such as pollen, dust, alcoholic beverages vapors, smoke and chemicals. Some of the most commonly used asthmatic bronchitis medications are Prelone tablets, salmeterol, fluticasone, preventer and salbutamol.

Before giving any asthmatic bronchitis medications, the doctor will try to get the accurate diagnosis. Directly addressing the disease can foreclose complications, and can cut down on medical expenses. If not diagnosed correctly, or if timely treatment is not taken, the condition can worsen.

In addition to taking asthmatic bronchitis medications, the doctors also prescribe taking lots of fluids, plenty of rest, and avoiding fumes and smoke. In severe cases, oral or inhaled steroids may be necessary to reduce the inflammation. Person suffering from asthmatic bronchitis is quite prone to infections, and it is advisable to get the yearly flu shot and pneumonia vaccination.

Asthmatic bronchitis medications should never be over the counter suppressants, unless recommended by the doctor. In case of acute bronchitis, the coughing can be productive in getting rid of the excess mucus of lungs. Asthmatic bronchitis medications often consist of a 5-10 day course of antibiotics that can fight with the range of bacteria.

In severe cases of asthmatic bronchitis, body is not able to transfer oxygen from lungs to the bloodstream efficiently, so doctor may prescribe oxygen therapy in addition to asthmatic bronchitis medications. Don’t ignore the cold symptoms, rest enough and drink fluids in large amount if seems to get affected by flu. This helps clearing the lungs of all the mucus. Additionally, taking vitamins, and breathing the steam vapors can also be effective bronchitis treatments.

It is best not to use the cough syrups to suppress the cough, as it removes the irritants from the air passage and lungs. If cough is disrupting your sleep, take enough cold medications so that you are able to rest, but not too much that totally subsides the cough. Some people suffering from asthmatic bronchitis are also prescribed the inhaler to open the narrowed passages and reduce inflammation.