Brandy B. Alyssa C. Briana D. Pertussis Brandy B. Alyssa C. Briana D.

Pertussis Pertussis is also known as whopping cough Lower Respiratory Tract infection

Etiology Caused by bacterium Bordetella pertussis Gram (-) cocci bacterium Encapsulated immotile aerobe that do not make spores It produces a pertussis toxin, adenylate cyclase toxin, filamsntous hemagglutinin and hemolysin

Epidemiology Infants and children, especially babies less than 1 year of age In the U.S. during 2012, 48,277 cases of pertussis were reported

Mode of Transmission Direct contact or inhalation of airborne droplets Incubation period: 7-10 days witha a range of 4-21 days

Clinical Manifestation/Symptoms Stage 1 (catarrahl stage) lasts 1-2 weeks consist of sneezing, low fever, and cough. Stage 2 (paroxysmal stage) lasts 1-6 weeks consist of episodes of paroxysmal cough with characteristic whopping sound Final stage (convalescent stage) Symptoms gradually decrease although coughing may last for several months Diagnosis can be difficult because whooping cough shares many symptoms with the flu, cold and bronchitis.

Diagnostic tests Physical examination Laboratory test which involves taking a sample of secretions (with swab) from back of the throat through the nose Blood Tests Chest X-ray

Treatment Antibiotics Treatment after 3 weeks is unlikely to help because the bacteria leaves the body but the symptoms remain

Prevention Pertussis Vaccine Infants, children, teens, and adults. Children should get the DTaP vaccine which protects gainst pertussis, diphtheria, and tetanus Teens and adults should get the Tdap vaccine Adults should get the Td booster every ten years

Sources Bordetella pertussis. (n.d.). Retrieved May 7, 2014, from Microbe Wiki website: http://microbewiki.kenyon.edu/index.php/Bordetella_pertussis Pertussis (Whooping Cough). (2013, August 28). Retrieved May 6, 2014, from CDC website: http://www.cdc.gov/pertussis/index.html Whooping Cough. (2013, March 19). Retrieved May 6, 2014, from Mayo Clinic website: http://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/whooping-cough/ basics/tests-diagnosis/con-20023295