Pertussis Questions & Answers

Updated: Jan 18, 2023
  • Author: Joseph J Bocka, MD; Chief Editor: Russell W Steele, MD  more...
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Questions & Answers

Overview

What is pertussis (whooping cough)?

How long does pertussis (whooping cough) last?

What are the signs and symptoms of the catarrhal phase (stage 1) pertussis (whooping cough)?

What are the signs and symptoms of the paroxysmal phase (stage 2) pertussis (whooping cough)?

What are the signs and symptoms of the convalescent phase (stage 3) pertussis (whooping cough)?

How is pertussis (whooping cough) diagnosed?

What are the goals of treatment of pertussis (whooping cough)?

Which medications are used in the treatment of pertussis (whooping cough)?

What are the CDC recommendations for vaccination against pertussis (whooping cough)?

What is pertussis (whooping cough)?

How has the vaccination against pertussis (whooping cough) reduced the incidence?

What are the manifestations of pertussis (whooping cough)?

What are the complications of pertussis (whooping cough)?

What causes pertussis (whooping cough)?

What is the pathophysiology of pertussis (whooping cough)?

How is pertussis (whooping cough) transmitted?

Which patients are at a high risk of getting pertussis (whooping cough)?

What are the risk factors for pertussis (whooping cough)?

Is age a risk factor for pertussis (whooping cough) in adults?

How does the incidence of pertussis (whooping cough) in the US vary from year to year?

What is the rate of pertussis (whooping cough) in the US?

What is the rate of pertussis (whooping cough) in older children and adults in the US?

Is the rate of pertussis (whooping cough) increasing in the US?

Which states are the most affected by pertussis (whooping cough)?

What is the incidence of pertussis (whooping cough) in the US?

When was the most recent pertussis (whooping cough) epidemic in the US?

What is the worldwide incidence of pertussis (whooping cough)?

What are the race-related demographics of pertussis (whooping cough)?

Is pertussis (whooping cough) more common in males or females?

What are the age-related demographics of pertussis (whooping cough)?

What is the prognosis of pertussis (whooping cough)?

What are the complications of pertussis (whooping cough) in older infants and children?

Which patients with pertussis (whooping cough) have a higher risk of morbidity?

What is the mortality rate for pertussis (whooping cough)?

How often does pneumonia develop as a complication of pertussis (whooping cough)?

What are the CNS complications of pertussis (whooping cough)?

What is the role of leukocytosis in the prognosis of pertussis (whooping cough)?

Which conditions increase the risk of pertussis (whooping cough)?

How is the course of pertussis (whooping cough) characterized in older children, adolescents, and adults?

When are control measures indicated in cases of pertussis (whooping cough)?

What information on pertussis (whooping cough) should be provided to patients and parents?

Presentation

What is the incubation period of pertussis (whooping cough)?

What are the symptoms of pertussis (whooping cough) in children, adolescents, and adults?

What are the symptoms of the catarrhal phase (stage 1) pertussis (whooping cough)?

What are the symptoms of the paroxysmal phase (stage 2) pertussis (whooping cough)?

What are the symptoms of the convalescent phase (stage 3) pertussis (whooping cough)?

What is the typical presentation of pertussis (whooping cough)?

DDX

Which illnesses mimic clinical pertussis (whooping cough)?

Which conditions are considered in the differential diagnosis of pertussis (whooping cough)?

What are the differential diagnoses for Pertussis?

Workup

What is the criterion standard for the diagnosis of pertussis (whooping cough)?

How is a clinical case of pertussis (whooping cough) defined?

How is a confirmed case of pertussis (whooping cough) defined?

When are imaging studies indicated in the workup of pertussis (whooping cough)?

What is the role of serologic antibody titer testing in the workup of pertussis (whooping cough)?

Is direct fluorescent assay (DFA) useful in the workup of pertussis (whooping cough)?

What is the role of chest radiography in the workup of pertussis (whooping cough)?

What is the role of white blood count (WBC) testing in the workup of pertussis (whooping cough)?

What is the role of blood cultures in the workup of pertussis (whooping cough)?

When are the recovery rates of pertussis (whooping cough) the highest?

What are the CDC guidelines on pertussis (whooping cough)?

What are the culture findings in pertussis (whooping cough)?

What is the role of PCR assays and antigen detection testing in the workup of pertussis (whooping cough)?

What do PCR assays reveal in the workup of pertussis (whooping cough)?

Are PCR assays reliable for a diagnosis of pertussis (whooping cough)?

What are the CDC recommendations for the use of PCR assays in the workup of pertussis (whooping cough)?

Treatment

What is the mainstay of treatment for active pertussis (whooping cough) infection?

When is inpatient care indicated for the treatment of pertussis (whooping cough)?

Which vitals need to be continuously monitored in patients with pertussis (whooping cough)?

What are the dietary restrictions for patients with pertussis (whooping cough)?

Should activity restrictions for used in patients with pertussis (whooping cough)?

Are specialist consultations indicated in the treatment of pertussis (whooping cough)?

When is transfer indicated for patients with pertussis (whooping cough)?

How are patients with pertussis (whooping cough) best monitored on an outpatient basis?

What is the role of antimicrobial agents in the treatment of pertussis (whooping cough)?

What is the preferred antibiotic treatment of pertussis (whooping cough)?

Are erythromycin and clarithromycin used in the treatment of pertussis (whooping cough)?

What prophylaxis is available for people at risk for pertussis (whooping cough)?

What is the best defense against pertussis (whooping cough)?

Is a pertussis (whooping cough) vaccine available for neonates?

How do infants contract pertussis (whooping cough)?

What are the recommendations for vaccination against pertussis (whooping cough)?

What is whole-cell vaccination against pertussis (whooping cough)?

What is the recommended vaccination protocol against pertussis (whooping cough)?

What are the risks of pertussis (whooping cough) vaccination during pregnancy?

How effective is maternal vaccination for infants for the prevention of pertussis (whooping cough)?

Medications

Which medications are used in the treatment of pertussis (whooping cough)?

Which medications in the drug class Vaccines, Inactivated, Bacterial are used in the treatment of Pertussis?

Which medications in the drug class Antibiotics, Other are used in the treatment of Pertussis?