Search
Pertussis (Whooping Cough):
- Caused by B.pertussis and B.parapertussis
- Incubation period = 6 days
- Three stages: Catarrhal (low-grade fever, rhinorrhea); Paroxysmal (classic "whooping" cough); Convalescent (resolution of symptoms over a ~2wk period)
- Full course of the disease = on average 6-8 weeks, although convalescent stage may last MONTHS
- Erythromycin may be effective early on, but no effect once in the paroxysmal stage
- Complications are most common in neonates and infants, and notably, the elderly
- Complications include apnea, hypoxia, pneumonia, encephalopathy, pneumothorax/pneumomediastinum (from paroxysms in the setting of severe mucus plugging)
References
Nelson's Essentials of Pediatrics, 5th Edition