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Impact of whooping cough on patients and their families
British Medical Journal (Clinical Research Ed.)
|June 1, 1985
Insights
Whooping cough significantly distresses children and families, causing parental sleep loss and fear. While children
Area of Science:
- Pediatrics
- Infectious Diseases
- Public Health
Background:
- Whooping cough (pertussis) is a highly contagious respiratory infection.
- The disease can cause severe complications in children.
- Family impact and parental concerns are significant aspects of managing childhood illnesses.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the effects of whooping cough on hospitalized children and their families.
- To understand the psychological and social impact of the illness.
- To identify parental concerns and misinformation regarding pertussis.
Main Methods:
- A study involving 21 children admitted to the hospital for whooping cough.
- Assessment of the distress experienced by both the affected children and their families.
- Follow-up evaluation of the child's behavior and family well-being two months post-admission.
Main Results:
- Whooping cough caused significant distress to children and their families.
- Parents reported intense fear for their child's life and health, along with severe sleep deprivation.
- Children exhibited behavioral disturbances two months after admission, though most families had recovered.
Conclusions:
- Pertussis imposes a considerable burden on pediatric patients and their households.
- Addressing parental fears and sleep disruption is crucial during treatment.
- Misinformation about whooping cough was prevalent among parents and healthcare providers, highlighting a need for improved patient education.
Abstract:
The effects of whooping cough were studied in 21 children admitted to hospital with the disease and in their families. The illness caused considerable distress to both child and family. Parents suffered especially from fears for the life and health of their child and from serious loss of sleep. Two months after admission the child's behaviour was still disturbed, but in most cases the rest of the family had returned to normal. There was much misunderstanding and misinformation about whooping cough among both parents and doctors.