whooping cough (pertussis)

• Whooping Cough (Pertussis)

  Highly contagious, respiratory tract infection
• Whooping Cough Symptoms

  1. Initially starts with a dry cough for 1-2 weeks

  2. Marked by hacking cough, followed by high-pitched intake of breath that sounds like a "Whoop"

  3. Can last for about 2 months
• Incubation periodfor whooping cough

  7 days, range 5-21 days
• causes of whooping cough?

  • bacterial infection caused by bordella pertusis
  • spread Via droplets (respiratory disease)
• referring in whooping cough?

  • children <6 months with whooping cough
  • pregnant
  • weakened immune system (meds that weaken immune system)
  • 999 if lips turn blue (cyanosis) difficulty breathing ( shallow breathing ) fits/seirzures
• treatment for whooping cough?

  Paracetamol liquid

  Ibuprofen liquid
• Counselling for whooping cough?

  • stay hydrated
  • antibiotics given ONLY in first 3 weeks of diagnosing whooping cough, not given outside of the 3 week window
  • keep child off school for about 5 days after starting antibiotics, or 21 days after start of the cough (whichever sooner)