Pertussis is a very contagious disease that mostly affects children younger than 5 years old and infants who are less than a year old. It is characterized by severe coughing fits and is very difficult to identify to the symptoms’ irregular manifestations. However, once it has been diagnosed, it can be effectively treated with homoeopathy.
Pertussis is caused by the bacterium Bordetella pertussis and affects the respiratory tract. Generally, it is spread by drops of saliva that are projected during violent coughing episodes. Pertussis can affect any child and be the source of periodic epidemics. This disease, which lasts from four to eight weeks, is very exhausting if the patient is not quickly treated.
Pertussis begins with a runny nose that is accompanied by violent coughing and fever. The coughing fits that characterize this disease are reminiscent of the rooster’s call, hence the disease’s second name of “whooping cough”. These fits usually occur at night and end with vomiting. In case of complications, pertussis can lead to pneumonia or haemorrhage. It is also possible for this condition to affect the central nervous system.
If pertussis is detected early on and the child is tired because of the bacteria incubation, use a dose of Carbo vegetalis 15 CH to improve breathing and reduce the choking sensation. But if the patient is sthenic, Sulphur is the most appropriate remedy. As for Belladonna, which helps prevent dry and violent nocturnal cough, it will be prescribed if the patient is weak and that his or her face is red and sweaty. Furthermore, Allium Cepa is an effective treatment of pertussis accompanied by coryza, frequent sneezing, irritant runny nose, tearing and hoarse, dry and spasmodic coughing. If the disease has progressed and manifests itself by spasmodic coughing with suffocation, nausea and vomiting, administer Ipeca, especially if the child’s face is bluish.
It is advisable to take five granules of Corallium rubrum 9 CH after each coughing fit in case of violent and spasmodic coughing episodes that can end up causing abdominal pain, especially when they are accompanied by phlegm that becomes more pronounced in the evening or at night. Coccus Cacti will be recommended if the whooping cough is caused by a tickling larynx and stringy mucus, and if the patient’s condition improves when he or she is in a cool location but gets worse when in a warm room. Cuprum metallicum can be used to treat dry spasmodic cough that is relieved by the freshness of a beverage. Arnica will be prescribed if the cough causes chest pain and if small eruptions appear on the face. Mephitis Putorius is ideal for treating pertussis that manifests itself by a cough accompanied by suffocation, a bluish face, and slight catarrh. Finally, if the disease reaches the acute phase and results in repeated coughing fits, the homoeopath will likely prescribe a dose of Pertussinum 30 CH to be taken during three days.
Given that pertussis is a severe disease, self-medication is strongly advised against. It is preferable to follow a homoeopath’s prescription, which is determined after the establishment of a precise diagnosis. It is thus advisable to consult a doctor as soon as the first symptoms appear.
Good to know: The homoeopathic treatments that are used in the treatment of pertussis have sedative, antitussive, antispasmodic, antiseptic, antibiotic and expectorant properties. They can be combined with allopathic drugs in order to increase their effectiveness
