Pertussis (Whooping Cough)
Whooping cough is a bacterial infection, which is caused by bacteria Bordetella pertussis ("Bacillus pertussis" or "pertussis bacillus"). Bacteria enter into the mucous membrane of the respiratory tract and can block the airway.
Pertussis ocheny infected, and in some cases it causes serious complications. For the treatment of antibiotics used pertussis.
The appearance due pertussis ingestion of bacteria Bordetella pertussis. Pertussis is transmitted through:
Factors, which increase the probability of infection with pertussis, They include:
Symptoms of pertussis usually occur within a week or two after exposure to the pathogen.
Initial symptoms last about whooping cough 1-2 weeks. They may include:
The second phase of whooping cough is called paroxysmal stage. This stage usually lasts 1-6 weeks, but can last much longer. Symptoms may include:
At the final stage the cough slowly passes over the 2-3 weeks. But, at this stage of cough episodes may still occur;
Complications of pertussis in infants and young children, may include:
Complications of pertussis in adolescents and adults may include weight loss and accidental urination. From a strong cough can sometimes occur fainting, or rib fractures.
The doctor will ask about your symptoms and medical history, and perform a physical examination. Analyses for the diagnosis of pertussis may include:
Methods of treatment of pertussis may include:
Pertussis izlechivaetsya antibiotikami, that stop the spread of infection. Antibiotic treatment is most effective in the early stages.
Antibiotics or cough medicine will not prevent whooping cough. Steps, to help control symptoms and prevent complications of whooping cough:
Hospitalization may be necessary in case of heavy flow pertussis. Patients, usually, You must be isolated, to prevent the spread of pertussis to others.
The best way to prevent pertussis is immunization. All children (with some exceptions) You should be vaccinated with DTaP, which protects against diphtheria, tetanus and pertussis. Another vaccine, It called Tdap, It should be regularly administered to children 11-12 years, after the DTaP vaccine. There are also catching up immunization schedules for children and adults, which have not been fully vaccinated.
Pregnant women should be vaccinated with Tdap during each pregnancy, to protect newborns from pertussis.
People, which are in close contact with a man, infected with whooping cough, It may be advised to take antibiotics for the prevention of, even though they were vaccinated. This method of prevention is especially important at home, in the presence of family members, are at high risk of serious illness (children aged up to one year, or people with weak immune systems).
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