Whooping cough Flashcards
infectious agent
bordetella pertussis
gram -ve bacteria
URTI or LRTI?
URTI
why is it called whooping cough?
coughing fits so severe child unable to take in air between coughs
whooping sound as forcibly inhale air after cough finishes
how does pertussis usually start?
mild coryzal symptoms
low grade fever
mild dry cough
describe the cough
paroxysmal cough
inspiratory whoop
faint, vomit, pneumothorax
diagnosis
nasopharyngeal or nasal swab
PCR testing or bacterial culture
anti-pertussis toxin IgG - oral fluid
management
notifiable disease - close contacts prophylactic abx
supportive care
macrolide abx in early stages
co-trimoxazole alternative
Alternative presentation
apnoeas and cyanosis
key complication
bronchiectasis
who is usually affected?
children under 1
newborns
are blood cultures useful?
no - B pertussis only grows on respiratory epithelium
differentials
pertussis RSV bronchiolitis penumonia croup foreign body aspiration
name some macrolide abx
erythromycin
clarithromycin
azithromycin
prevention - vaccine regimen in children
DTaP vaccine 2,4,6 and 15-18 months and at 4-6 years
single-dose boost 11-18yrs
