By:

Chella May R. Sison

Description
- acute infection of the respiratory tract. It
begins as an ordinary cold, which in a
typical case becomes increasingly severe,
and after the second week is attended by
paroxysms of cough ending in a
characteristic whoop as the breath is drawn
in. Vomiting may follow spasm. Cough may
last for several weeks and occasionally 2-3
months.

- highly contagious disease that causes

uncontrollable violent coughing.
Etiologic Agent:
Hemophilus pertusis or Bordet Gengou Bacillus
or Bordetella pertussis or Pertussis bacillus.

Source of infection:
Discharges from laryngeal and bronchial
mucous membrane of infected persons.

Mode of Transmission:
Direct spread through respiratory and salivary
contacts. Crowding and close association with
patients facilitate spread.
Incubation Period:
7-10 but not exceeding 21 days.

Period of Communicability:
In early catarrhal stage, paroxysmal cough
confirms provisional clinical diagnosis 7 days
after exposure to 3 weeks after onset of typical
paroxysms.
Susceptibility, Resistance and Occurrence:
Susceptibility is general, predominantly a
childhood disease, the incidence being highest
under 7 years of age and mortality highest in
infants, particularly under 6 months of age. One
attack confers definite and prolonged immunity.
Second attack occasionally occurs.
Very prevalent and a common disease among
children everywhere regardless of race, climate or
geographic location.
Symptoms:
 similar to common cold developed about a week
after exposure to the bacteria.
 severe episodes of coughing often ends with a
whoop noise. The sound is produced when the
patient tries to take a breath. The whoop noise is rare
in patients under 6 months of age and in adults.
 coughing spells may lead to vomiting or a short
loss of consciousness.
 Other symptoms include: runny nose, slight fever,
diarrhea, bluish skin color, seizures, dehydration
Diagnosis/ Exams/ Tests:
 initial diagnosis is based on the symptom. When
symptoms are not obvious, pertussis may be difficult
to diagnose. In very young infants, symptoms may
be caused by pneumonia instead.
 to know for sure, the healthcare provider may
take a sample of mucus from the nasal secretions
and send it to a lab, which tests it for pertussis.
 tests can take some time and treatment is usually
started before the results are ready.
 other patients may have CBC that shows a large
number of lymphocytes.
Treatment:

 Antibiotics: Erythromycin – if diagnosed early

 Infants younger than 18 months need constant
supervision because their breathing may temporarily
stop during coughing spells.
 Infants with severe cases should be hospitalized
 Oxygen tent with high humidity may be used
 Fluids may be given through a vein if coughing
spells are severe enough to prevent the person from
drinking enough fluids.
 Sedatives may be prescribed to young children.
 Cough mixtures, expectorants and suppressants are
usually not helpful and should not be used.
Prevention and Control:

Routine DPT immunization of all infants

which can be started at 1 ½ months of life and
given at monthly intervals in 3 consecutive
months. This constitutes the primary injections.
Booster dose is to be given at age of 2 years and
again at 4 to 5 years of age.
The patient should be segregated until
after 3 weeks from the appearance of
paroxysmal cough.
PHOTOS
That’s All!

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