Pertussis: Whooping Cough

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Pertussis, commonly known as 'whooping cough’, is an upper respiratory infection caused by the Bordetella parapertussis bacteria. Pertussis has been around since the 12th century. Since the early 1980s, Pertussis has steadily increased in all age groups, with peaks every 2 to 5 years. Most incidents occur between June and September. Pertussis can affect any age or race group. This disease can affect anyone but is most common in infants and younger children. Pertussis was recognizably described as early as 1578 by Guillaume de Baillou. Earlier reports have dated this disease to the 12th century. B. pertussis was isolated in pure culture in 1906 by Jules Bordet and Octave Gengou. They also developed the first vaccine. The bacteria attach to…show more content…
The first stage catarrhal is indistinguishable from other common colds. The symptoms of this are a runny nose, a slight fever, and sneezing. In this stage, pertussis is easiest to catch. Patients in the second stage of paroxysmal have intense coughing fits lasting up to several minutes. In older infants and toddlers the coughing is followed by an intake of breath that sounds like a whooping noise. Infants younger than six months do not take make the whooping noise but are at risk for exhaustion. Vomiting following a round of coughing is common in children. Patients in the third stage, convalescent, have coughing that may last for weeks if not treated. Symptoms of this infection usually occur within 7-10 days of being exposed. During those days symptoms are very similar to the common cold. This disease is passed by an infected person sneezing or coughing and the tiny droplets containing the bacteria sail through the air, hitting another person. Coughing spells may lead to vomiting or a short period of losing consciousness. In infants, choking spells are common. Infants younger than 18 months may need special attention, because their breathing may stop during…show more content…
Pertussis outbreaks can be difficult to identify; common colds and other upper respiratory infections have symptoms similar to pertussis. In 2010, 9,143 cases of pertussis, including 10 infant deaths, were reported in California. Previously, the peak was in 2005, when there were about 3,180 cases reported. In Michigan, a pertussis increase was first noticed in late 2008, continuing until 2010. In Ohio, the Franklin County Board of Health and Columbus Public Health responded to a pertussis outbreak during 2010 and 2011. On April 9, 2011, 144 cases of pertussis were reported. During 2008, Pennsylvania had an outbreak in a western school district where at least 16 students were
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