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Pertussis (Whooping Cough) - Coggle Diagram
Pertussis (Whooping Cough)
Intro
highly contagious resp infection
caused by Bordetella pertussis
endemic, with epidemics every 3-4 yrs
Presentation
Catarrhal phase
1wk of coryza
Paroxysmal phase
paroxysmal/spasmodic cough followed by characteristic inspiratory whoop
often worse @ night
can result in vomiting, epistaxis, subconjunctival haemorrhages
child goes blue/red (cyanotic attack), mucus flows from nose + mouth
whoop may be absent in infants but apnoea can occur
lasts 3-6wks
Convalescent phase
sx gradually decrease, but may persist for many mo
Comps
pneumonia
convulsions
bronchiectasis
uncommon
mortality, esp in infants who have not yet been vaccinated @ 4mo
Tx
if severe cyanotic attacks admit
isolate from other children
erythromycin eradicates organism but only decreases sx if started in catarrhal phase
give close contacts erythromycin prophylaxis
Dx
Perinasal swab culture or PCR (more sensitive)
FBC: marked lymphocytosis
Immunisation
level of protection declines steadily during childhood