Whooping cough is unusual among the infections of childhood because breast feeding conveys no specific protection against it, although breast milk strongly upholds your baby's general immunity and maximizes his chance of an uncomplicated recovery from the disease.
It is usually caused by a germ which is very insensitive to antibiotics, so that conventional treatment is unsatisfactory. Its worst effects arise not from the germ directly, but from a chemical toxin produced by it which makes the nerves in your wind-pipe extremely sensitive, causing the spasmodic cough which gives the disease its name. Coughing spreads the germ about a good deal, especially within your family.
Good HealthKeeping's website has moved to another server.