Wikis > Paediatrics > General Paediatrics > Childhood Illnesses & Diseases > Whooping Cough/Pertussis
Whooping Cough/Pertussis:
Highly infectious bacterial infection of respiratory tract – due to Bordetella pertussis (releases a toxin that causes a necrosis of mucosa) – spread by droplet infection. 90% < 5 years. Incubation of 7-14 days.Clinical features – initially have conjunctivitis, rhinitis and unproductive cough (catarrhal stage) progresses to severe coughing with high pitched inspiratory whoop (paroxysmal stage) cough gradually decreases (convalescent stage).Complications bronchitis, pneumonia, bronchiectasis, convulsionsTreatment – erythromycin; fluid intake encouraged; nutritious diet to prevent weight loss; observation for respiratory stress
Prevention - immunisation
Comments are closed.