Pertussis

• There are non- specific symptoms of low grade fever, colds, congestion, sneezing, lacrimation, conjunctival suffusion. Patients are most infectious at this stage

  Catarrhal stage
• Number, severity, and duration of cough episodes diminish

  Convalescent stage
• Coughing marks the onset that evolves into a whooping cough that may cause cyanosis but in between, the child may look well

  Paroxysmal stage
• How long is the Convalescent stage

  >2 weeks
• How long is the Catarrhal stage?

  1-2 weeks
• How long is the Paroxysmal stage?

  2-6 weeks
• What is the drug of choice for Pertussis?

  Macrolide
• Do cough suppressants have little effect on the whooping cough?

  Yes
• What vaccine is recommended to prevent Pertussis?

  Td & TDap