resp - whooping cough

Question 1

what causes whooping cough

Answer 1

Bordetella pertussis

Question 2

how is whooping cough spread

Answer 2

Bordetella pertussis is droplet spread, via coughs and sneezes

Question 3

Bordetella pertussis - how does it cause symptoms

Answer 3

releases toxins which trigger mucus production and coughing, and airway swelling

the damage it does takes awhile to heal even when the bacteria are dead

Question 4

presentation of whooping cough

Answer 4

a week or so of coryzal symptoms - the catarrhal phase
then 1-6 weeks of paroxysmal/spasmodic coughing with inspiratory whoops (inspiration against a closed glottis with airway inflammation) inbetween
child can go red/blue in the face

gradually get better over up to 3 months (convalescent phase)

in infants they may not get the cough but get apnea

Question 5

who should go to hospital with whooping cough

Answer 5

admit if
severe cough spasms
cyanotic attacks

Question 6

diagnosis of whooping cough

Answer 6

pernasal swab
PCR
increases lymphocytes in blood

Question 7

treatment of whooping cough

Answer 7

macrolides if caught in catarrhal phase

bacteria will be dead after that so no use giving them then

Question 8

prophylaxis for whooping cough?

Answer 8

give macrolides as prophylaxis to close contacts
and vaccinate infants if they arent vaccinated already

immunise pregnant mums in 3rd trimester to protect newborn

Question 9

immunisation schedule for pertussis?

Answer 9

infants are routinely immunised at 2, 3, 4 months and 3-5 years