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Pertussis

Mary E Cataletto, FCCP, FAAP, MD and Margaret J. McCormick, CNE, RN, MS Reviewed 06/2021
 


BASICS

  • Highly contagious among close contacts

  • Synonyms: whooping cough, "100 day cough"

DESCRIPTION

  • Host: humans

  • Most common reservoir: adults

  • Ages: all

  • Distribution: worldwide

  • Pattern: endemic or epidemic w...

DIAGNOSIS

HISTORY

  • Exposure to pertussis

  • Insidious onset

  • Incubation period 7 to 10 days (range 5 to 21 days)

PHYSICAL EXAM

  • Classic pertussis has three phases, which occur over 6 to 10 weeks (6):

    • Catarrhal p...

TREATMENT

GENERAL MEASURES

  • Hospitalization with continuous cardiopulmonary monitoring is recommended for neonates with pertussis.

  • Supplemental oxygen and/or mechanical ventilatory support may be needed.

MEDICATION

ONGOING CARE

Supportive 

FOLLOW-UP RECOMMENDATIONS

  • Monitor infants who received EES or azithromycin for hypotrophic pyloric stenosis.

  • Neurologic and/or pulmonary follow-up as necessary

Patient Monitoring

I...

REFERENCES

1
Daniels HL, Sabella C. Bordetella pertussis (Pertussis). Pediatr Rev. 2018;39(5):247-257.
2
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Pertussis Fast Facts. https://www.cdc.gov/pertussis/fa...

CODES

ICD10

  • A37.10 Whooping cough due to Bordetella parapertussis without pneumonia

  • A37 Whooping cough

  • A37.91 Whooping cough, unspecified species with pneumonia

  • A37.01 Whooping cough due to Bordetella per...

CLINICAL PEARLS

  • Hospitalizations for pertussis is highest in infants <6 months of age.

    • Maternal Tdap is effective in protecting young infants against pertussis, especially during first 2 months of l...

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