Pertussis, commonly known as whooping cough, is a respiratory infection caused by the bacterium Bordetella pertussis. This condition is characterized by severe coughing fits, which can lead to a distinctive “whoop” sound when the patient breathes in.
Although whooping cough can occur at any age, it primarily affects unvaccinated children and infants under one year old. Statistics indicate that approximately 40% of cases occur in children under one year, while 15% occur in those over 15. Half of the deaths related to whooping cough are in infants under one year, and severe complications are also more common in this age group.
In recent years, there has been an increase in whooping cough cases among adolescents and adults. Early vaccination can help prevent this disease.
Signs and Symptoms
The initial symptoms of whooping cough often resemble those of a common cold, including:
– Runny nose
– Sneezing
– Mild cough
– Low-grade fever
After about 1-2 weeks, the symptoms progress to a dry cough that can turn into severe coughing fits, each lasting over one minute, which may cause the child to turn red or develop a bruised appearance. At the end of each coughing fit, the child may emit a whooping sound when inhaling or may even vomit. Between coughing episodes, the child typically feels fine.
Transmission Pathways
Whooping cough is highly contagious. The bacteria spread from person to person through respiratory droplets from the nose or mouth of an infected individual when they cough, sneeze, or laugh. Others can become infected by inhaling these droplets or by touching surfaces contaminated with them and then touching their nose or mouth.
An infected person is usually contagious in the early stages of the illness, up to about two weeks after the cough begins.
Incubation Period
The incubation period typically ranges from 7 to 10 days but can extend up to 21 days.
Duration of Illness
Whooping cough can lead to a prolonged illness. The initial symptoms resemble a cold for 1-2 weeks, followed by coughing that can last from 2 to 4 weeks, and sometimes even longer. The recovery phase may take several weeks, and in some cases, children can take several months to fully recover.
Preventing the Disease
Whooping cough can be prevented through vaccination, with a recommended schedule of 5 doses for children up to the age of 6. Experts believe that up to 80% of unvaccinated family members living with an infected person may contract whooping cough. For this reason, anyone in close contact with a whooping cough patient should consider taking antibiotics to prevent the disease from spreading. Additionally, infants who have not received all 5 doses of the vaccine may be eligible for a booster shot if someone in the household is infected.
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