There has been an outbreak of Pertussis on the

northeastern coast of the US. Thousands of people have so

far been infected.

Pertussis

General InformationPertussis is commonly called Whooping CoughIt is a highly contagious bacterial disease caused by Bordetella PertussisIn some countries, it is called the 100 days’ Cough or Cough of 100 DaysSymptoms usually begin mild and develop into severe coughing fits, which produce the namesake, high pitched “whoop” sound.Coughing stage lasts approximately six weeks before subsiding.Prevention by vaccination is necessary because of the seriousness of the disease in children.Antibiotics are of little direct benefit, but they shorten the duration of infectiousness.

SymptomsParoxysmal coughInspiratory whoopFainting or vomiting after coughingCoughing can cause..

Subconjunctival hemorrhagesRib fracturesPost-cough faintingVertebral artery dissectionViolent coughing can cause the Pleura to rupture, and can lead to a pneumothorax

DiagnosisThroat Cultures

The doctor will take a throat swab to test for the infection. They then put the swab in a cup (cultures) and allow the possible infection to grow and develop.

Polymerase Chain Reaction (PCR)A biochemical technology to amplify one or a few pieces of DNA across several different magnitudes, generating thousands to millions of copies of the DNA sequenceRelies on thermal cycling—constant cycles of repeated heating and cooling for DNA melting

Direct ImmunofluorescenceUses one antibody that is attached to a fluorophore. The antibody links itself to the targeted molecule and the fluorophore can be located by microscopy.

PreventionVaccination

Usually administered through a type of DTP vaccination (diphtheria-tetanus-pertussis)

AntibioticsErythromycin, the antimicrobial of choice for treatment or postexposure prophylaxis of pertussis

Possible TreatmentsThere aren’t any direct cures, but antibiotics can be administered to shorten the duration of the disease.Home Remedies include…

Cough DropsTea

Sourceshttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Pertussishttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Pertussis_vaccinehttp://www.cdc.gov/mmwr/preview/mmwrhtml/rr5414a1.htmhttp://www.cdc.gov/pertussis/clinical/treatment.html