Testimony: Woman Shares Her Struggle with Whooping Cough Amidst Rising Cases
Like many French citizens this year, Marseille influencer Zoé la modeuze contracted whooping cough and had a difficult experience. This respiratory disease, which can be severe in children and exhausting in adults, has been somewhat forgotten. From the struggle to get diagnosed to the endless coughing fits, she shares her story.
Known as the “100-day cough,” Marion Piscione, also known as “Zoé la modeuze” on social media, has been diagnosed with whooping cough. Cases of this disease are on the rise in Europe, including France. According to data from Santé publique France, in the first quarter of 2024, around fifteen clusters were reported. The head of the National Reference Center for Whooping Cough at the Institut Pasteur, Sylvain Brisse, mentioned nearly “6,000 positive cases” in an interview with franceinfo. This is “eleven times more cases between January and May 2024 than in the entire year of 2023,” a level not seen in 40 years.
Marion fell ill in mid-April without knowing she had whooping cough. She underwent a challenging 15 days with severe coughing fits that kept her awake at night. After visiting four different doctors who failed to diagnose her, one general practitioner dismissed her concerns, suggesting honey from a local supermarket as a remedy. Despite trying various syrups and antihistamines, the cough persisted. Marion insisted on further tests and was eventually prescribed a PCR test, which confirmed the presence of the Bordetella pertussis bacteria, the cause of whooping cough.
Marion expressed regret for the two weeks of misdiagnosis, during which she was contagious, especially concerning her eleven-year-old daughter and nine-year-old stepson, both vaccinated but exhibiting lingering coughs. She emphasized the importance of early detection and treatment to prevent further spread of the disease.
Whooping cough is particularly dangerous for infants and high-risk individuals. To reduce severe cases, a vaccination strategy has been implemented, with mandatory doses at two, four, and eleven months, plus two boosters at six years and between eleven and thirteen years. Marion overlooked the final booster at 25 years, which may have contributed to her prolonged symptoms.
Despite antibiotic treatment, Marion’s symptoms persisted, affecting her respiratory system and causing intense pain in her intercostal muscles, nosebleeds, hernias, and pelvic floor issues. She recounted a recent severe episode where she struggled to breathe, prompting her family to consider calling emergency services.
In the past, Marion took three months to recover from whooping cough, finding relief at higher altitudes. This year, she relied on steam therapy, a homemade remedy with water, rice, lemon, ginger, and cloves, recommended by her housekeeper. Since sharing her experience with her 240,000 followers, Marion has received numerous inquiries about her remedy, emphasizing the importance of raising awareness about the disease and vaccination.
Marion’s public disclosure serves as a reminder for individuals to check their vaccination status and not overlook booster shots in adulthood to prevent the spread of preventable diseases like whooping cough.