pertussis (whooping cough)

Question 1

Whooping cough (pertussis)

Answer 1

infectious disease caused by the gram negative bacterium bordetella pertussis

• typically presents in kids
• “cough of 100 days”

Question 2

immunisation against pertussis

Answer 2

infant immunised at 2, 3, 4 months + 3-5years

neither infection or immunisation results in lifelong protection

Question 3

whooping cough pertussis presentation

Answer 3

acute cough thatt has lasted >14days without another apparent cause + has 1+ of -

• paroxysmal cough
• inspiratory whoop
• post-tussive vomiting
• undiagnosed apnoeic attacks in young infants

Question 4

inspiratory whoop seen in pertussis

Answer 4

caused by forced inspiration against the closed glottis

(not always present)

Question 5

diagnosing pertussis

Answer 5

PCR + serology

per nasal swab culture for Bordetella pertussis - may take days-weeks

Question 6

management of pertussis

Answer 6

oral macrolide (clarithromycin, azithromycin, erythromycin) if onset of cough is within previous 21days

• household offered prophylaxis
• school exclusion - 48hrs after starting Abx, 21 days from onset if no Abx

<6 months = admit

notifiable disease

Question 7

complications of pertussis

Answer 7

subconjunctival haemorrhage
pneumonia
bronchiectasis
seizures

Question 8

are pregnant woman given the pertussis vaccine

Answer 8

yes!
between 16-32weeks pregnant