Question 1

where did pertussis come from

Accepted Answer

Whooping cough: Pertussis is a highly contagious respiratory disease caused by a bacteria called  bordetella pertussis. It causes heavy, uncontrollable coughing that sound like barking.  It is on the rise, therefore immunization against it is now recommended. Most of us have been immunized against it during our early years of life through the tdap tetanus vaccine and now booster is recommended for unimmunized.

Question 2

what are the symptoms pertussis?

Accepted Answer

Cough: It usually starts with a runny nose and congestion and then it's becomes a long, persistent, annoying cough for adults.  In kids or infants it will often come with coughing fits that result in a whoop of inspiration after the coughing fit or sometimes after cough vomiting.  Hence the name whooping cough.

Question 3

can i die from pertussis if i ignore it?

Accepted Answer

Not likely: Pertussis can cause death in children, especially if the child is malnourished, has other respiratory illness or other intercurrent illness.  An adult is not likely to die from it.

Question 4

how can i avoid pertussis in infant?

Accepted Answer

Vaccinate: You vaccinate the mother during pregnancy or soon thereafter, as well as any adult in routine contact.You also vaccinate the kid as soon as they are old enough.

Question 5

do people with pertussis have a lot of pain?

Accepted Answer

Can't say: Patients struggling with the worst cases of whooping cough are generally under a year of age and cough so hard they get strokes & brain damage. They are not conversational at that point but i'm sure it's not pleasent. Older kids or adults don't have it so bad, but the "100 days cough" surely wears them out. It is described as a moderate bronchitis in that group.

Question 6

what are the symptoms of pertussis in a toddler?

Accepted Answer

See below: Pertussis begins with mild respiratory symptoms similar to common cold (catarrhal stage), followed by paroxysmal stage characterized by paroxysmal cough and whoop often followed by vomiting. This stage often lasts 6 to 8 weeks. Severe cough spell and apnea (cessation of breathing) especially in young children can result in rectal prolapse, subconjunctival hemorrhage, and seizure.

Question 7

has anyone experienced an outbreak of pertussis locally?

Accepted Answer

Yes: Yes, in my area we are in the midst of a serious outbreak, mostly in school age kids and adults. Rarely have infants been diagnosed currently. The mix includes underimmunized patients needing booster updates, not immunized at all and occasionally immunized patients where the vaccine apparently did not "take".

Question 8

what is the difference between pertussis and the common cold?

Accepted Answer

Pertussis vs URI: Although the initial symptoms of a common cold and pertussis are very similar, their causes are not.  Pertussis is caused by a bacterial infection, has three distinct stages, is dangerous in young children, lasts up to weeks and can be prevented with vaccination.  Common colds are viral in nature, usually not dangerous, do not respond to antibiotics, and resolve on their own in a few days.

Question 9

how often can i need a dpt shot to remain immune to pertussis?

Accepted Answer

10 years.: Actually reimmunization for diptheria, tetanus, and pertussis are 10 years for maitenance of immune response. They can be given separately!

Question 10

what are the signs and symptoms that you might be getting pertussis?

Accepted Answer

Whooping cough: That is the common name for pertussis. If vcaccinated it is very unlikely.

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Has anyone experienced an outbreak of pertussis locally?

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What are the signs and symptoms that you might be getting pertussis?

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