Pertussis
Pertussis
Pertussis
ON
PERTUSSIS
1
PERTUSSIS
Whooping cough (also known as pertussis) is a bacterial infection that gets into your nose and
throat. It spreads easily, but vaccines like DTaP (diphtheria, tetanus, and pertussis) and Tdap
(tetanus, diphtheria, and pertussis) can help prevent it in children and adults.
At first, whooping cough has the same symptoms as the average cold:
Mild coughing
Sneezing
Runny nose
After about 7-10 days, the cough turns into “coughing spells” that end with a whooping sound as
Because the cough is dry and doesn't produce mucus, these spells can last up to 1 minute.
Most people with whooping cough have coughing spells, but not everyone does.
Infants may not make the whooping sound or even cough, but they might gasp for air or try to
2
Sometimes adults with the condition just have a cough that won’t go away.
A type of bacteria called Bordetella pertussis causes whooping cough. If a person with whooping
cough sneezes, laughs, or coughs, small droplets that contain this bacteria may fly through the
When the bacteria get into your airways, they attach to the tiny hairs in the linings of the lungs.
The bacteria cause swelling and inflammation, which lead to a dry, long-lasting cough and other
cold-like symptoms.
Whooping cough can cause anyone at any age to get sick. It may last 3 to 6 weeks. You can get
sick from it even if you've already been vaccinated, but that's not likely.
Because symptoms of whooping cough are a lot like those caused by a cold, the flu, or
bronchitis, it can be hard to diagnose it early on. Your doctor may be able to tell that you have it
Nose or throat culture. A simple swab of the area where your nose and throat meet can be
Blood test. A high white blood cell count is a sign that your body is fighting off an
Chest X-ray. This can show if you have inflammation or fluid in your lungs, which can
be a sign of pneumonia.
3
Whooping Cough Treatment and Home Remedies
If you find out you have whooping cough early on, antibiotics can help cut down coughing and
other symptoms. They can also help prevent the infection from spreading to others. But most
Don't use over-the-counter cough medicines, cough suppressants, or expectorants (medicines that
make you cough up mucus) to treat whooping cough. They don't work.
If your coughing spells are so bad that they keep you from drinking enough fluids, you can get
Get lots of rest. This can give your body more strength to fight the illness.
Eat small meals as often as you feel up to it. Eating less more often can help prevent the
Clean air. Keeping the air around you free of dust, smoke, and other irritants can help soothe
coughing.
Drink fluids. Stay hydrated by drinking lots of water or juice. If you notice signs of
dehydration, like dry lips or peeing less often, call your doctor right away.
Whooping cough is dangerous in babies, especially ones younger than 6 months old, because it
can keep them from getting the oxygen they need. This can cause:
4
Pneumonia
Seizures
Apnea
Convulsions
If you think your infant might have it, see their doctor right away.
Children under the age of 18 months with whooping cough should be watched at all times because
the coughing spells can make them stop breathing. Young babies with bad cases may need hospital
care, too.
Help protect your child by making sure they and any adult who's around them often get vaccinated.
In teens and adults, whooping cough can lead to pneumonia. The severe coughing can also cause:
Abdominal hernias
Bruised ribs
Trouble sleeping
The DTaP vaccine can help protect children from whooping cough. Infants should get a dose every
other month for the first 6 months, another between 15 and 18 months, then one last time between
ages 4 and 6.
5
Older children and adults need the Tdap vaccine and a booster every 10 years because the vaccine
can weaken over time. The best age for kids to get it is between 11 and 12. Adults who’ve never had
the vaccine can get it any time. Pregnant women should get a booster to help protect their newborn.
Another important key to prevention is to protect the people around you. If someone in your
household has whooping cough, make sure they cover their mouth or cough into their elbow to keep
from spreading the bacteria. Wash hands often, and consider having them wear a mask when they’re
near others.
6
CONCLUSION
With treatment, you should slowly start to feel better after about 4 weeks. But you’ll probably have a
7
REFERENCES
Diphtheria, tetanus, and whooping cough vaccination: What everyone should know.
(2016). https://www.cdc.gov/vaccines/vpd/dtap-tdap-td/public/index.html