whooping cough

Question 1

what is whooping cough

Answer 1

(pertussis)
infectious disease caused by gram neg bacterium bordetella pertussis

Question 2

immunisation for whooping cough

Answer 2

infants routinely immunised at 2,3,4 months and 3-5 years

Question 3

features of whooping cough

Answer 3

catarrhal phase- similar to viral URTI (lasts 1-2 weeks)
paroxysmal phase- cough increases in severity, inspiratory whoop, spells of apnoea, subconjunctival haemorrhages
convalescent phase- cough subsides over weeks to months

Question 4

when should whooping cough be suspected

Answer 4

cough that has lasted 14 days or more plus:
- paroxysmal cough
- inspiratory whoop
- post-tussive vomiting
- undiagnosed apnoeic attacks

Question 5

diagnosis of whooping cough

Answer 5

per nasal swab culture for bordetella pertussis
PCR

Question 6

management of whooping cough

Answer 6

admit infant < 6 months
it is a notifiable disease
oral macrolide (clarithromycin, azithromycin, erythromycin) if the onset of cough within 21 days
household contacts get prophylactic antibiotics

Question 7

complications of whooping cough

Answer 7

subconjunctival haemorrhage
pneumonia
bronchiectasis
seizures

Question 8

when are pregnant women offered whooping cough vaccine

Answer 8

16-32 weeks