Pertussis

The cough that comes and lingers with

Paroxysms and Whoops!
Pertussis.mp3

Jose Edgar V. Alonso April 19, 2024 09:27:39 PM

 What is Pertussis?
Pertussis is a very contagious upper respiratory infection which usually
produces prolonged and repetitive bouts of coughing.

Instead of coughing spells, babies with pertussis may have breathing

difficulties.

This includes conditions such as apnea, when there are pauses in their
breathing.

Whooping cough can cause serious, life-threatening complications in

babies.

About one-third of all infants (babies younger than 1 year old) who get
whooping cough need treatment at a hospital.
What is the pattern of coughing with pertussis?
One to two weeks after the first symptoms start or beginning
the second week, children with pertussis may develop
paroxysms (rapid, violent, and uncontrolled coughing fits).

During the coughing spell, children will seem to be choking,

gagging or not able to catch his or her breath.

When he/she gasps for air quickly and deeply after a

coughing fit - a loud, high-pitched “whooping” noise might
accompany the inhalation of air.
What is the pattern of coughing with pertussis?

That’s where Pertussis gets to be called with its common

name ‘Whooping cough’ too.

However, someone may still have the infection without

making the “whooping”noise.

These coughing fits usually last 1 to 6 weeks but can last for
up to 10 weeks.

Coughing fits generally get worse and become more common

as the illness continues.
Whooping Cough Sound

Pertussis.mp4
 Who does whooping cough affect?

Pertussis can affect anyone, but it most often occurs in babies,

children and adolescents.

Babies are especially vulnerable to infection because they

cannot receive the vaccine until they’re at least 6 weeks to 2
months old.

They can catch whooping cough from their parents, adult

caregivers or other children.
 Can Adults get Whooping cough?

Yes. But whooping cough in adults is generally milder than in

babies and children.

This is especially true for adults who’ve received the

whooping cough vaccine.

The infection may seem more like the common cold.

The “whoop” may not be there in people with milder

illnesses.
 Can Adults get Whooping cough?
However, adults can develop serious cases of whooping
cough, especially if they have not received the pertussis
vaccine.

They may have long-lasting coughing fits that keep them

awake all night.

People who’ve experienced these coughing bouts say it’s the

worst cough of their lives.

It can also cause major interruptions in your daily life and

serious complications.
 What causes whooping cough?
A type of bacteria called Bordetella pertussis causes
whooping cough.

The condition starts when the bacteria enters your respiratory

system.

They attach to the tiny, hair-like extensions (cilia) on the

lining of your respiratory tract.

Then, they release poisons (toxins), which damage your cilia

and cause your airways to swell.

This swelling causes the secretions of your mucus to increase,

which causes severe coughing.
 Is whooping cough contagious?

Yes. When you cough or sneeze, you can spread tiny

respiratory droplets containing the bacteria into the air.

People around you may inhale these bacteria-containing

droplets and get infected.

You may be contagious even before symptoms appear and can

remain contagious for up to 4-5 weeks after coughing starts.
 How common is pertussis?
Before the development of the pertussis vaccine, there were hundreds of
thousands of cases of whooping cough each year in the U.S.
Today, case numbers have dropped significantly. According to the
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), there were about
1,600 reported cases of pertussis in the U.S. in 2021.
Every few years, outbreaks occur, and there are peaks in reported cases.
In addition, whooping cough continues to be a global endemic.
According to the World Health Organization (WHO), there were more
than 151,000 cases of pertussis worldwide in 2018.
 What are the Symptoms of Pertussis?
Early pertussis symptoms often starts like the common cold with slight fever, runny
nose (sneezing) and a mild cough. Apnea may be seen in infants . These symptoms
may persist for one to two weeks.
 What are the Symptoms of Pertussis?
Symptoms at the start of the second week, the typical coughing spells begin and may
last for 6 weeks. Some babies may make choking sounds instead of the “whoop”.
During the coughing spell, the child will seem to be choking, gagging or not able to
catch his or her breath.

Symptoms of pertussis begin to lessen after four weeks, although bouts of

coughing can recur for months after symptoms start.
Pertussis Disease Progression
Pertussis Disease Progression
Pertussis Disease Progression
 Physical Diagnosis and Tests
A medical history review, symptoms interview and a physical
examination generally helps in arriving at the diagnosis.
A trained health care provider may take samples by
performing nose and/or throat swabs.
Samples are then sent to a properly equipped Lab where the
samples will be analyzed for the presence of the Bordetella
bacteria.
The provider may also request blood tests (CBC) to confirm
the possible presence of an infection.
 Management and Treatment
Whooping cough treatment should begin as soon as possible
after diagnosis.
A physician will prescribe the antibiotics of choice mainly to
prevent the spread of the disease.
However, it is highly probable that the progression of the
disease will be shortened if antibiotics are given early enough.
Pertussis bacteria die off naturally after three weeks of
coughing.
If antibiotics are not started within that time, they are no
longer recommended.
 Management and Treatment
Cough syrups and other medicines will not be of much help in
relieving the coughing spells.
Beta2 agonist or bronchodilators may be of help.
Use of clean, cool mist humidifier may help loosen mucus and
soothe the cough.
Advise mothers to give small frequent feedings to help prevent
vomiting.
Administer plenty of fluids, including water, juices, soups and
fruits to prevent ensuing dehydration.
Antibiotic prophylaxis should be given to close contacts within
three weeks of exposure.
 Management and Treatment
Young infants especially below six months developing paroxysmal
episodes, may need pertussis treatment in the hospital.
Whooping cough can cause life-threatening complications, such as
pneumonia or breathing problems.
To treat the infection and prevent complications, healthcare providers
will:
• Keep baby’s breathing passages clear by suctioning out mucus.
• Monitor baby’s breathing; O2 inhalation if necessary.
• Prevent or treat dehydration. The baby may need an IV to receive
fluids.
 Prevention
How can I prevent whooping cough?

Getting the whooping cough vaccine is the best way to prevent children
from getting whooping cough.

Healthcare providers should strongly advocate for children to be

vaccinated the diphtheria-tetanus-pertussis (DTaP) or the pentavalent
vaccine combination.

This is combination vaccine that also protects them against diphtheria

and tetanus.

It’s relatively safe and effective.

 Prevention
Children should receive five injections of the DTaP vaccine,
according to the following recommended vaccination
schedule:
First dose: 2 months old.
Second dose: 4 months old.
Third dose: 6 months old.
Fourth dose: Between 15 and 18 months old.
Fifth dose: Between 4 and 6 years old.
Booster dose: 11 to 12 years old Tdap
 Prevention
Healthcare providers recommend a booster dose for adults
because they’re the most likely source of pertussis infection
in infants.

It’s important that all adults caring for infants receive a

booster, as adults’ immunity to pertussis wanes as they get
older.

Adults who have a whooping cough infection may be told

they have bronchitis or a sinus infection, and may
unknowingly infect susceptible infants who are at risk for
more serious complications.
 Prevention
Adults between the ages of 19 and 64 should receive a one-
time booster pertussis vaccine called the Tdap vaccine.

Adults older than 64 years old should also receive a booster

vaccine if they’ll come into close contact with babies younger
than 12 months old.

Pregnant people should receive a Tdap injection during the

third trimester (between the 27th and 36th week) of their
pregnancies. They must have a Tdap injection during each
pregnancy.
 Prevention
The vaccine helps provide babies with short-term protection
against whooping cough before they are immunized.

It may also protect them against serious complications

associated with the infection.

If you're pregnant, you should also make sure family

members and caregivers take pertussis precautions by getting
vaccinated.
 Outlook / Prognosis
What can to expect if one has whooping cough?
Pertussis may initially look like the common cold.
But eventually, the telltale sign of the condition - the whooping
cough sound - may develop.
With prompt diagnosis, you can start on antibiotics that can help
prevent the spread of the infection.
But antibiotics won’t treat the cough.
Your coughing episodes may last for weeks or even months.
Whooping cough is more serious in babies and children, and
serious complications can develop.
 What are the possible complications of whooping cough?

Whooping cough can lead to serious, life-threatening complications,

especially in babies younger than 1 year old.
Approximately one-third of infants will need care in the hospital. Of
those babies, about:
• 2 in 3 (68%) will develop pauses in their breathing called apnea.
• 1 in 5 (22%) will develop pneumonia.
• 1 in 50 (2%) will have violent, uncontrollable episodes of shaking
(convulsions).
• 1 in 150 (0.6%) will develop a brain disease called encephalopathy.
• 1 in 100 (1%) will die.
 Croup vs. Whooping cough — What’s the difference?

Croup and ‘Whooping’ cough are both respiratory infections

that commonly affect babies and children.

Both Croup and Pertussis can cause a distinctive cough.

Croup may develop a barking-like cough.

Pertussis cough sound is more like a high-pitched gasp, or

“whoop.”
 Croup vs. Whooping cough — What’s the difference?

Croup is a viral infection usually caused by a human

parainfluenza virus (HPIV), and like most viruses, it resolves
on its own within a week or two.

There are no vaccines available yet to prevent Croup, and

antibiotics nor specific antiviral treatment will be of much
help.
 Croup vs. Whooping cough — What’s the difference?

Pertussis is a bacterial infection specifically caused by

Bordetella pertussis and symptoms may last for months.

Pertussis vaccines are available already in several combined

form and specific antibiotic treatment may really be of help.
 Lessons Learned to be Internalized

‘Whooping cough’ (Pertussis) is a respiratory infection that

can cause severe, prolonged coughing episodes and/or
breathing difficulties.

Symptoms can last for months if not treated appropriately &

timely; and may cause life-threatening illnesses, especially in
infants and toddlers.
 Lessons Learned to be Internalized

If you happen to encounter a coughing child who develop

high-pitched gasp or “whoop” or having trouble breathing,
refer to a physician for the appropriate and timely
management right away.

Getting that pertussis vaccine may not totally prevent

infection but it may prevent a full-blown disease. At best,
Pertussis vaccine may mitigate the severity of the disease if it
ever comes to any of those vaccinated.
 What does it mean to internalize learning?

Internalizing learning refers to the process of transforming and

integrating acquired knowledge or skills within an individual's
consciousness.

Internalization is an important process in the development of human

consciousness and is connected to the formation of an individual's
training and understanding .

Simply put, internalizing is transforming knowledge and

experiences acquired as part our consciousness and be in place
whenever they are needed as we go about serving our beloved
people - Dalaguetnons.
 The
Right
The Choice is Vaccine
At the
Yours and Mine Right
Time
“Protection or Severe Infection” Blessings
For A
Then By All Means Let’s Vaccinate! Healthy
Life

Forever Wishing and Hoping

for the eventual
Redemption and Healing
of our
Beloved Philippines!