Pertussis (aka whooping cough)

Question 1

What type of infection is pertussis?

Answer 1

Pertussis is an acute bacterial respiratory infection.

Peck incidents of pertussis is during the spring and summer months.

Incubation period for pertussis is usually 7-10 days.

Question 2

Pertussis typically has two distinct stages to its disease process. What are they/what s/s would one expect to see in each?

Answer 2

the Catarrhal Stage (simply meaning exudate of inflamed mucous membranes in one of he airways or cavities of the body) occurs in 1st to 2nd week of infection period. s/s of the Catarrhal Stage: sneezing, coughing, low grade fever

the Paroxysmal Stage (meaning acute attack) occurs towards the end of the infection period of pertussis. s/s of the Paroxysmal Stage: WHOOPING COUGH, flushed cheeks, vomiting may occur with coughing spells

Question 3

What is the primary symptom of pertussis in infants?

Answer 3

apena

Question 4

What preventative measures can parents take to decrease child’s likelihood of getting whooping cough?

Answer 4

the pertussis vaccine aka the T-dap vaccine

Question 5

What are possible complications of having pertussis?

Answer 5

-encephalopathy
-apnea (duh!)
-pneumonia