Chris Smith Courtney Pennill

Whooping cough is caused by a bacteria called Bordatella pertussis. It attaches itself to the cells in the respiratory tract which have cilia. mucus and cellular debris accumulate and cause constant irritation to the respiratory tract, triggering coughing and increasing further mucus production. Usually children under the age two and elderly are affected General Description

One can get W.cough by inhaling droplets infected with the bacteria coughed into the air by someone already suffering with the infection. Incubation is the symptomless period of 7 to 14 days after breathing in the B. pertussis bacteria, and during which the bacteria multiply and penetrate the lining tissues of the entire respiratory tract. Causes

similar to the common cold, Coughing spells may lead to vomiting or a short loss of consciousness. Choking Runny nose Slight fever (102 °F or lower) Diarrhea Symptoms

If started early enough, antibiotics such as Erythromycin can make the symptoms go away more quickly. Unfortunately, most patients are diagnosed too late, when antibiotics aren't very effective. However, the medicines can help reduce the patient's ability to spread the disease to others. Specific Treatment

The only other treatment is supportive, and involves careful monitoring of fluids to prevent dehydration, rest in a quiet, dark room to decrease paroxysms, and suctioning of mucus. Specific Treatment Cont’d

Pertussis vaccine is most commonly given in combination with the vaccines for diphtheria and tetanus.(Pertussis is the "P" in the DTaP combination inoculation routinely given to children, and the "p" in the Tdap vaccine administered to adolescents and adults.) Since immunity from the pertussi vaccine wears off with time, many teenagers and adults get whooping cough. Vaccines

children need five DTaP shots. The first three vaccinations are given at 2, 4, and 6 months of age. The fourth vaccination is given between 15 and 18 months of age, and a fifth is given when a child enters school, at 4-6 years of age. Preteens going to the doctor for their regular checkup at 11 or 12 years of age should get a dose of the Tdap booster, and adults who didn't get Tdap as a preteen or teen should get one dose of Tdap. Vaccines Cont’d

As the disease progresses unfortunately the likelihood of survival decreases. Progression of disease

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