Pertussis
A. What causes pertussis?Pertussis is caused by an infection with a bacterium called Bordetella. It attaches to the lining of the airways in the upper respiratory system and releases toxins that lead to inflammation and swelling. Pertussis is also known as whooping cough.
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B. How is it transmitted?Pertussis is very easy to spread and is highly contagious. People get infected by direct contact with fluids from the nose or mouth of other people. For example, if you shake hands with someone that is infected, and then touch your mouth or nose, the bacteria will enter your body. People can also become infected by breathing in small bacteria containing droplets of mucus from the nose or lungs of another carrier of pertussis.
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C. What are symptoms?The time frame in which symptoms develop is usually very wide. They are typicaly mild at first and resemble those of a common cold. Some symptoms include a runny nose, nasal congestion, sneezing, watery eyes, a mild fever, and dry cough. The symptoms worsten over time and lead to uncontrolable coughing.
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D. What are treatments?Whooping cough should be treated as soon as possible. The recommended antimicrobial agents for treating pertussis are azithromycin, clarithromycin and erythromycin. If whooping cough isn't treated in time, it can become very serious and require treatment in the hospital.
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E. Risks if untreatedIf pertussis is left untreated, it can progress from an upper respiratory tract infection to a lung infection or pneumonia.
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F. Risks when treatedThe anibiotics may have have side effects but they usually get rid of the bacterium if they are used as they were prescribed by the doctor.
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