Pertussis (Whooping Cough) Overview

Study Notes

Highly contagious respiratory illness caused by the bacterium Bordetella pertussis.
Characterized by severe coughing fits often ending with a high-pitched "whoop" sound.
Incubation period: 7 to 14 days
Communicable period: 7 days after exposure to 3 weeks after typical coughing spasms.
Mode of transmission: Direct contact, indirect contact, contaminated linens, and respiratory secretions.
Clinical Manifestations:
- Catarrhal stage: Mild, cold-like symptoms such as runny nose, sneezing, and a dry cough.
- Paroxysmal stage: Characterized by violent coughing spasms ending in a "whoop" sound, often followed by vomiting, and sometimes cyanosis.
- Convalescent stage: Gradual decrease in coughing frequency and severity.
Complications: Pneumonia, atelectasis, convulsions, umbilical hernia, otitis media, malnutrition, and starvation.
Diagnosis: Nasopharyngeal swab, sputum culture, and blood tests.
Treatment: Supportive therapy including fluids, nutrition, oxygen, and antibiotics such as erythromycin and ampicillin.
Prevention: Isolation of infected individuals, DPT immunization, and booster shots.

A serious bacterial infection that affects the nervous system, leading to severe muscle spasms.
Caused by the bacterium Clostridium tetani.
Fatal in up to 60% of unimmunized persons, especially within 10 days of symptom onset.
Source of infection: Animal and human feces, soil, dust, rusty materials, contaminated medical equipment.
Mode of transmission: Punctured wounds contaminated with C. tetani, traumatic wounds, burns, umbilical stump infections in newborns, and unrecognized injuries.
Clinical Manifestations:
- Neonatal tetanus: Feeding and sucking difficulties, excessive crying, muscle spasms, fever, cyanosis, and exhaustion.
- Older children and adults: Localized spasms near the wound, muscle stiffness, hyperreflexia, tachycardia, painful muscle contractions, trismus (jaw stiffness), facial muscle spasms (risus sardonicus), abdominal rigidity, and opisthotonos (back arching).
Treatment: Supportive care including wound treatment, antibiotics, muscle relaxants, and antitoxins.
Prevention: Tetanus toxoid immunization, booster shots, and wound care.