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Flashcards in Whooping Cough Deck (13)
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1
Q

What is whooping cough also known as?

A

Pertussis

2
Q

What is whooping cough?

A

An URTI characterised by a severe cough

3
Q

What is the typical aetiological agent for whooping cough?

A

Bordetella pertussis

4
Q

What are the risk factors for whooping cough?

A
  • Age <6 months
  • Baby born to mother who became infected at 34 or more weeks gestation
  • No or incomplete immunisation
5
Q

What are the clinical features of whooping cough?

A

Initially, symptoms are similar to those of the common cold, with rhinorrhoea, fever, and mild cough. This is followed by weeks fo severe coughing fits

6
Q

What might happen following a fit of coughing in whooping cough?

A

A high pitched whoop sound or gasp may occur as the person breathes in

7
Q

How long does the coughing last in whooping cough?

A

10 or more weeks

8
Q

How severe is the cough in whooping cough?

A

Person may cough so hard they break ribs, vomit, or become very tired

9
Q

What is the definitive diagnostic test in whooping cough?

A

Culture of nasopharyngeal aspirate or swab from posterior nasopharynx

10
Q

What other investigations may be done in whooping cough?

A
  • PCR of nasopharyngeal aspirate

- FBC

11
Q

What is the advantage of PCR of nasopharyngeal aspirate in whooping cough?

A

Increased sensitivity compared to culture

12
Q

What are the differential diagnoses of whooping cough?

A
  • URTI
  • Community acquired pneumonia
  • RSV infection
13
Q

How is whooping cough managed in children <1 month?

A

Azithromycin and clarithromycin

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