Pertussis is a highly contagious bacterial infection of the respiratory tract. The bacterium enters through the respiratory tract and develops in the trachea and bronchi. It is characterized by a persistent cough and difficulty breathing.
In young children, the infection can progress to pneumonia or seizures. In infants and the elderly, pertussis may in some cases be fatal.
The bacterium is spread through air, in the surrounding of the infected person. An adult may have whooping cough without experiencing symptoms, there is a high risk of infecting an unvaccinated infant.
Several countries have introduced universal vaccination, which has greatly reduced the incidence of pertussis. We note that the transmission of the bacteria is no more transmited from children to children (children vaccinated), but from adults to newborns. A booster vaccination in early adolescence, is recommended. One suggestion was to vaccinate adults who have contact with infants.
The treatment is to eliminate the bacteria with antibiotics. It is recommended to treat with antibiotics all the people living under the same roof. Treatment removes the infection in five days. Without treatment, the infection can last three weeks. A child under six months is usually placed under surveillance in a hospital. After healing, the person is immune for many years.
Whooping cough is so named because, at times, reached a cough sound like the rooster.
02 mai 2010
| The text above is for information purposes only. Only a doctor can diagnose a disease. No treatment (medication or scheme) should be undertaken without consulting a health professional. |