Whooping cough (pertussis)

Question 1

What is whooping cough?

Answer 1

An upper respiratory tract infection.

Question 2

What are the signs of whooping cough?

Answer 2

Low grade fever 
Coughing fits - with periods of no coughing between (paroxysmal coughing)
Loud inspiratory whoop
Rhinorrhoea 
Post cough vomiting

Question 3

What can happen in severe coughing, especially in children?

Answer 3

Pneumothorax
Faint
Vomit

Question 4

What is a common presentation in infants?

Answer 4

Apnoea (temporary cessation of breathing) - instead of cough

Question 5

Who gets the whooping cough vaccine?

Answer 5

Pregnant women
Infant
Children
Pre teens

Question 6

What is the tests done to diagnose whooping cough>

Answer 6

Nasal swab culture - takes 2-3 weeks

If infection > 2 weeks - can test for anti pertussis immunoglobulin G

Question 7

How is anti pertussis immunoglobulin G tested for?

Answer 7

5-16 yrs - in mouth saliva

>17 yrs - in blood

Question 8

What is the management of whooping cough?

Answer 8

Notify public health
Macrolide antibiotics
Co-trimoxazole (alternative)
Prophylaxis antibiotics to vulnerable close contacts

Question 9

What is the main complication from whooping cough?

Answer 9

Bronchiectasis

Question 10

How long does whooping cough take to resolve?

Answer 10

8 weeks - can take longer

Question 11

What are examples of macrolide antibiotics?

Answer 11

Clarithromycin
Erythromycin
Azithromycin
Roxithromycin

Question 12

What is the cause of whooping cough?

Answer 12

Bordetella pertussis

Question 13

What is the 1st line antibiotic for >1 month?

Answer 13

Azithromycin

Question 14

What is the 2nd line antibiotic for >1 month?

Answer 14

Trimethoprim + sulfamethoxazole