Whooping Cough Flashcards
Whooping cough is an highly contagious respiratory tract infection, but what is the incidence?
1 - 2000 per 100,000
2 - 200 per 100,000
3 - 20 per 100,000
4 - 2 per 100,000
4 - 2 per 100,000
Equally likely in males and females
Is the whooping cough more common in adults or children?
- children
Most common in infants
What organism is responsible for causing whooping cough?
1 - Bordetella pertussis
2 - Influenza
3 - Adenovirus
4 - Streptococcus pneumoniae
1 - Bordetella pertussis
Whooping cough can also be called Pertussis
Which of the following is NOT a risk factor for contracting whooping cough/pertussis?
1 - Immunocompromised/unvaccinated
2 - Age (unvaccinated infants
3 - Exposure to infected individuals
4 - Pregnant women transmit to foetus in 3rd trimester
5 - Gender (females more likely)
6 - Co-morbidities
5 - Gender (females more likely)
All of the following are common clinical signs of whooping cough, but what is the tell tale sign that will normally confirm the diagnosis?
1 - acute cough lasting >14 days
2 - inspiratory whooping cough
3 - 2-3 days of coryzal symptoms
4 - post-tussive vomiting
2 - inspiratory whooping cough
In severe cases:
- coughing can cause subconjunctival haemorrhages
or anoxia leading to syncope & seizures - clinical symptoms may last as long as 10-14 weeks
Although the inspiratory whoop is the hall mark of the whooping cough, does it always have to be present to be diagnosed?
- no
The inspiratory whoop is due to inspiration against a closed glottis due to the infection
Are the bouts of coughing in the whooping cough worse during the day or evening?
- Usually worse at night and after feeding
May be following by vomitting due to excessive coughing
Although diagnosis is often clinical, what is the best marker for whooping cough in the blood?
1 - creatine kinase
2 - CRP
3 - raised lymphocytosis
4 - macrophages
3 - raised lymphocytosis
Although diagnosis is often clinical, what is now the most common form of diagnosing patients with whooping cough?
1 - PCR and serology
2 - blood culture and chest-X-ray
3 - throat examination and chest X-ray
4 - serology and urinalysis
1 - PCR and serology
Typically following a swab of the nasal canals, but can take weeks to get results
Is the management of whooping cough typically just supportive or supportive with antibiotics?
Supportive with antibiotics
All of the following are macrolids, which is typically the 1st line therapy in whooping cough if the cough began in <21 days. Which of the following is NOT a macrolid?
1 - clarithromycin
2 - azithromycin
3 - gentamicin
4 - erythromycin
3 - gentamicin
Hospitalisation is not always required in whooping cough, but which of the following would be an indicator for admission?
1 - age <18 months
2 - cough with vomiting
3 - age <6 months
4 - temperature >38 degrees
3 - age <6 months
May require additional supportive care measures like oxygen supplementation, fluid management and nutritional support.
Also important to reduce the risk of complications
Do all household members and close contacts require prophylactic antibiotic therapy?
- Yes
This is irrespective of vaccination status.
Antibiotics should be in the form of a macrolid (azithromycin, clarithromycin or erythromycin)
What is the most effective management of whooping cough?
1 - hand washing
2 - disposing of used tissues
3 - vaccination
4 - antibiotics
3 - vaccination
ALWAYS ask vaccination status
Typically given as part of the 6 in 1 at 8, 12 and 16 weeks, and 3-5 years
Pregnancy women can get it between 20 and 32 weeks, provides form of passive immunisation to the baby before it can be vaccinated
Which if the following is NOT a complication of the whooping cough?
1 - subconjunctival haemorrhage
2 - pneumonia
3 - bronchiectasis
4 - seizures
5 - liver cirrhosis
5 - liver cirrhosis
