Pertussis

Question 1

What is pertussis?

Answer 1

Respiratory tract infection caused by Bordetella pertussis characterised by paroxysms of cough

Question 2

What is the clinical presentation of pertussis?

Answer 2

1 - Catarrhal Phase
	- Coryzal symptom
	- Low-grade fever
	- Tearing 
	- Conjunctival suffusion 
2 - Paroxysmal phase
	- Bouts of coughing lasting 2-3 minutes, often ending in a whoop
	- Posttusive vomiting and turning red 
3 - Convalescent stage
	- Chronic cough

Question 3

What are the exam findings for pertussis?

Answer 3

• Usually unhelpful as little respiratory signs
  
  • Sometimes conjunctival haemorrhages or facial petechiae
    
    • Dehydration common

Question 4

How is pertussis diagnosed?

Answer 4

• Nasal or throat swab - PCR
  
  • Blood serology
    
    • Cultures

Question 5

How is pertussis managed?

Answer 5

• Monitoring and supportive therapy
  
  • Abx only shorten course of illness if caught early but does reduce infectivity
    
    • Macrolides are used, particularly clarithromycin