by: mrs. van curen pertussis (whooping cough). what is whooping cough? whooping cough is an...
TRANSCRIPT
BY: MRS. VAN CUREN
Pertussis (Whooping Cough)
What is Whooping Cough?
Whooping cough is an extremely contagious upper respiratory infection. It causes a heavy cough and sharp intake of air, commonly causing the “whoop” sound it is named after. It can cause damage mostly to infants, children under 11, the elderly, and immunocompromised individuals.
Medical Statistics: Past & Present h
ttp
://s
cien
ceb
log
s.co
m/i
nso
len
ce/2
01
2/0
9/0
5/
pert
uss
is-o
utb
reaks-
an
d-v
acc
ine-e
ffect
iven
ess
/h
ttp
://w
ww
.wh
ale
.to/a
/gra
ph
s.h
tml
Although incidence of Whooping Cough tends to rise and fall every 3-5 years, the number of deaths caused by Whooping Cough has drastically reduced since the introduction of the Pertussis Vaccine in 1949.
What Whooping Cough looks like:
CausesTiny bacteria called
Bordetella Pertussis attach themselves to the fine hairs in the upper respiratory tract when an infected person coughs and the droplets of saliva travel through the air to an uninfected person.
Symptoms
Early SymptomsRunny noseLow fever Mild Cough that
becomes a Strong Cough
Sleep Apnea (stop breathing during sleep)
Irritated, watery eyes
Full-blown SymptomsSevere cough with
“whooping” sound on inhale
Vomiting or Fatigue after coughing spells
Could cause death in infants.
Treatment
If found early enough, antibiotics can help shorten the timeline of whooping cough, though most people discover they have whooping cough too far along for antibiotics to be effective.
Humidors are helpful since the moist air can help lessen severe coughing spells
Staying hydrated helps keep coughing spells at bay as well.
Cough medicines DO NOT HELP. If you suspect you or a family member have Pertussis, get to a doctor.
Prevention
If you have whooping cough, staying home during the duration of the illness is best. Covering your cough, wearing a mask when out in public, and washing your hands frequently also help stop the spread of Pertussis.
The best way to prevent whooping cough is to get vaccinated.
Vaccination Information
People under the age of 11 should receive a DTaP vaccination that helps prevent the spread of pertussis. This booster is given at 2/4/6 months old, 15-18 months old, and 4-6 years old.
Tdap (Tetanus, Diphtheria, and Pertussis) vaccines can be given starting at age 11 and should be given a booster every 10 years.
Pregnant women should receive a Tdap booster every pregnancy between weeks 27-36 of pregnancy to protect their newborn from the virus.
People who work with infants or young children should get a booster every few years, if not every year.
Works Cited “Pertussis.” Medical Encyclopedia. U.S. National Library of Medicine. https://www.nlm.nih.gov/medlineplus/ency/article/001561.htm. Accessed Aug. 18, 2015. Pertussis frequently asked questions. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. http://www.cdc.gov/pertussis/about/faqs.html. Accessed Aug. 18, 2015. Tdap vaccine — What you need to know. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. http://www.cdc.gov/vaccines/hcp/vis/vis- statements/tdap.html. Accessed Aug. 18, 2015. "Whooping Cough." Diseases and Conditions. Mayo Clinic, 15 Jan. 2015. Web. http://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases- conditions/whooping-cough/basics/definition/con- 20023295. Accessed Aug. 18, 2015