I never thought I’d get Whooping Cough. I had always been careful and scrupulously followed the advice of doctors, who had warned me that although it was rare in adults, I should be aware of the risks. But I was unlucky, and the symptoms started to appear not long after I had returned from a business trip.
First, there were the coughing fits. I could barely make it through the day without a coughing fit so severe that I had to sit down. Then I started to vomit after coughing, and it felt like my chest was being ripped apart. I was worried this was something much more serious than a cold, so I visited a doctor.
My diagnosis was confirmed – I had Whooping Cough. I was put on antibiotics, but they didn’t seem to make much difference, and I was exhausted all the time. I started to feel so drained that I could barely get out of bed. It was a struggle to make it through the day, and I even had to take time off work.
Soon, the coughing fits became unbearable, and I was unable to sleep despite my exhaustion. After trying various treatments and medications, I was finally referred to a specialist. He prescribed me a specific set of inhalants and steroids, and gradually I started to feel better.
My medication had to be taken for months, and I had to keep coming back for checkups and monitoring. Over time, I started to recover, but I had to be careful not to overexert myself. I was also warned that the disease could come back if I was exposed to the same pathogen again.
Eventually, I made a full recovery. I felt better rested and healthier than before, and my breathing was no longer labored. My doctors had warned me that I may never completely recover my lung capacity, but I had certainly come a long way. I now took my health much more seriously and had become an advocate for preventative health care.
Suffering: Coughing, Vomiting, Exhaustion
Treatment: Antibiotics, Inhalants, Steroids
Recovery: Careful, Lung Capacity, Advocate