Whooping Cough Symptoms Causative agent Control
Whooping Cough (Pertussis):
There are 4 stages: 1) Catarrhal stage (10 days)
2) Paroxysmal stage (2-4 weeks)
3) Convalescent stage (1-2 weeks)
4) Illness (6-8 weeks)
Causative Agent:
Bordetella Pertussis. (Gram-negative organisms present in nasal and buccal Secretions.)
Modes of Transmission:
1. Most common spread by droplets released by patients or carriers.
2. Transmission also takes place through secretions.
3. Fomites (Cups, handkerchiefs, toys, thermometers, etc.) contaminated by nasopharyngeal
Secretion of the patient or carrier can also spread this infection.
Symptoms:
- Young children are characterized by mild fever, irritating cough.
- Cough in series of paroxysms ( sudden outburst of emotions)
- Malaise (A general feeling of being unwell).
- Sudden onset of chills
- Muscular pain.
- Complications which can arise are: a) Bronchitis
b) Bronchopneumonia
c) Bronchiectasis i.e. (Permanent enlargement of parts of airways)
d) Subconjunctival haemorrhage (Bleeding underneath conjunctiva)
Prevention and Control:
- Active immunization with DPT / Pertussis vaccine at 6th, 10th and 14th month of child and booster dose at the age of 1.5 yrs. and 5 yrs. DT is given.
- Passive immunization with hyperimmune gamma globulin.
- Early diagnosis and notification to health authorities.
- Isolation of cases at home and at hospital.
- Exclusion of contact children from school for 2 weeks.
- Disinfection of nasal and buccal discharges of the patient.
- Disinfection of fomites used by the patient.
Manisha Yogesh Chaudhari is working as an Assistant Professor at Kokan Gyanpeeth’s Rahul Dharkar College of Pharmacy, Karjat, Maharashtra, India. She has worked with Pfizer and Flamingo Pharmaceuticals. She is actively involved in Books writing, Review, and research paper writing as well as actively involved in contributing towards academic literature
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