Signs and Symptoms Etiology Pertussis

Whooping cough occurs in 3 stages: Pertussis is caused by the bacillus

catarrhal, paroxysmal, and convalescent.
Catarrhal stage:
The individual develops an irritating
cough that progressively gets worse,
especially at night. Also, anorexia,
sneezing, listlessness, conjunctivitis, and
low-grade fever may appear.
Commonly known as Whooping
Bordetella pertussis and it has an
incubation period of 7-10 days. Even Cough. It is an extremely contagious
respiratory infection common in
though it is highly contagious and is a
very prevalent alignment in society, it is children.
the most common of all diseases that
can be preventable by routine childhood

Paroxysmal stage:

This stage lasts from 3 to 4 weeks.

Within 1 to 2 weeks, the cough becomes
more irritating and violent with
inhalations that feature a high-pitched
whoop, which may be absent in older
children and adults. Coughing fits end
with the expulsion of clear mucus
followed by vomiting and can be so
severe that they can lead to hernia,
nosebleeds, and detached retina. In
addition, the child is also highly
susceptible to secondary infections like
pneumonia, Ottis media, and
encephalopathy.

https://www.emaze.com/@AIZZCTOQ/Bordetella-
Convalescent stage:

The final stage may last from 1 to 2

months. Symptoms are easily triggered, https://www.shutterstock.com/search/
with even the mildest upper respiratory whooping+cough
infection worsening the coughing.

 Treatment
The individual must be referred to a
physician immediately. Furthermore,
antibiotics are eective, but only during the
early stages, before the coughing becomes
persistent. After the early stages,
antibiotics becomes useless because the
bacteria is gone from your body even
though symptoms are still present.
of people each year and claims hundreds of
https://ww2.kqed.org/stateofhealth/2015/09/07/
siblings-most-common-cause-of-whooping-cough-
infection-for-infants/
Prevention Facts
Vaccines
Getting vaccinated is the best way to prevent Since the 1980s, doctors have been
pertussis. In the US, the recommended pertussis reporting increasing numbers of pertussis
vaccine for babies and children is called DTap, cases, however there are still far fewer
which fights against diphtheria, tetanus and
cases than there were before the vaccine.
pertussis.
Yet, the number infected seems to peak
every three to five years.
Antibiotics
If a member of your family has been Pertussis is especially deadly in developing
diagnosed, then your doctor may areas of the world because fewer people
recommend preventative antibiotics for are vaccinated. The disease infects millions
other members.
thousands of lives.
Hygiene
Doctors have been dealing with the
Good hygiene is recommended to help
whooping cough for at least 500 years and
prevent the spread of respiratory illnesses.
were first able to identify and see the
Thus, you should cover your mouth and
bacteria.
nose with a tissue or your elbow when you
cough or sneeze and to wash your hands Today, only 10,000 to 40,000 people are
often with soap and water for at least 20 infected each year and only a few die.
seconds.
https://www.cdc.gov/pertussis/about/prevention/
https://www.cdc.gov/pertussis/about/prevention/
https://
www.mtat
va.com/
en/health/
dpt-
vaccine/