What is it?
Whooping cough, also called pertussis cough or pertussis, is an acute infectious disease caused by the bacterium Bordetella pertussis, which compromises the respiratory system (trachea and bronchi).
What are the symptoms?
Whooping cough is characterized by three stages:
- catarrhal phase (1-2 weeks), inflammation and runny nose occurs, non-productive cough, low-grade fever (upper respiratory tract symptoms)
- Paroxysmal phase (2-6 weeks), there is a worsening of the cough with moments of intensity, which may be accompanied by cyanosis (bluish discoloration of the skin and lips) and swelling of the tongue. Typically there is an inspiratory noise and coughing can cause vomiting. Coughing is more frequent at night and worsens with crying or swallowing
- convalescence phase (2-6 weeks), there is a progressive decrease in the intensity and frequency of coughing, with the disappearance of inspiratory noise and vomiting. It can last for months with recurrent episodes of coughing, triggered by viral respiratory infections
Atypical forms of the disease may occur in:
- newborns and infants, in whom the catarrhal phase is very short or even absent, lack of inspiratory squeal, apnea and respiratory difficulty
- vaccinated children, adolescents and young adults, in whom the symptomatology is less pronounced, and may manifest as persistent cough
How is it transmitted?
Whooping cough is spread from person to person through droplets of saliva expelled by sneezing or coughing. It can also be transmitted by contact with objects contaminated with the patient's secretions. The contagion period is most intense in the first week.
How is it prevented?
Vaccination is the most important preventive measure. In the National Vaccination Program (PNV) the administration of 5 doses of the acellular pertussis vaccine is contemplated, according to the scheme: 2, 4, 6, 18 months and 5 years.
How can I get screened and diagnosed?
In most cases, the diagnosis is made by clinical observation, and laboratory tests can be performed to search for the bacteria.
Is there a treatment?
Antibiotic treatment is recommended whenever whooping cough is suspected, after collection of secretions to search for the bacteria. This treatment is effective in preventing the disease in the incubation stage. In the catarrhal phase, this therapy reduces or eliminates the symptoms, and in the paroxysmal phase, it does not alter the clinical status.
What is the incubation period?
The incubation period of whooping cough is 7 to 10 days, and can range from 5 to 21 days.
Source: Directorate-General for Health (DGS)