Pertussis, also known as whooping cough, is a respiratory illness caused by a bacteria that attaches itself to the upper respiratory system. These bacteria release toxins that damage the tiny, hair-like extensions that help keep the airway clean, and causes the airway to swell. The bacteria is very contagious, and only found in humans. It spreads by an infected person coughing or sneezing or when they spend a lot of time sharing breathing space with others. Babies who get pertussis are usually infected by older siblings, their parents, or their caregivers who may not even know they are carrying the disease. They are at high risk for complications from pertussis, but death from whooping cough is rare. But, while it is rare, it can still happen. Read Jazzlyn’s story here. The Details The time between being infected and showing symptoms of pertussis is 7 to 10 days, but can range from 4 to 21 days. The three stages of pertussis are outlined below: Treatment Treatment recommendations for pertussis are antibiotics, however the guidelines aren’t so simple. It is recommended that persons older than 1 year of age be treated within 3 weeks of cough onset, and infants younger than 1 year of age and pregnant women (especially who are near their due date) within 6 weeks of cough onset. However, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) promotes the appropriate use of antibiotics among health care professionals and patients. The CDC recommends targeting postexposure antibiotic treatment at people at high risk for developing a severe case of pertussis. Prevention The pertussis vaccine is the most effective way to prevent the disease. It’s important to remember that no vaccine is 100% effective, but if someone has gotten the vaccine and they still get sick the infection is usually milder. One way mothers can protect their babies is to get a Tdap vaccine (which covers tetanus, diphtheria, and pertussis) during the third trimester of each pregnancy. The recommended time to get the vaccine is the 27th through 36th week of pregnancy, and the earlier during this time period the better. The mother’s body is able to pass on protective antibodies to the baby even before it is born. Babies are then able to receive their own immunization starting at 2 months of age. You may have heard of a Tdap vaccine and a Dtap vaccine. These are essentially the same vaccine; they both protect against tetanus, diphtheria, and pertussis. Dtap is for those younger than 7 years of age, and Tdap is for those who are 7 years old or more.
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AuthorOPHIE records and analyzes data from disease investigations, identifies risk factors, and provides education on disease prevention in Nevada. Archives
November 2018
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