Pertussis/Whooping Cough

N.B. This is a notifiable disease.

Whooping cough is an URTI, caused by the bacteria, Bordetella pertussis.

It's called a whooping cough as the child has a coughing fit so severe that the they become unable to take in any air between coughs, therefore making a huge air-sucking noise afterwards.

Presentation

• Typically starts with mild coryzal symptoms, fever and mild dry cough

• Whooping cough - More severe coughing fits that start after a week or so

  • If severe enough, it can lead to syncope, vomiting, or even a pneumothorax

  • A key long-term complication of this cough is Bronchiectasis

Investigations

• Nasopharyngeal swab with PCR testing or culture

• If cough present for 2+ weeks, the patient can be tested for anti-pertussis toxin IgG

Management

• Part of the childhood vaccination schedule

• Macrolide abx

• Infection control

• Vulnerable close contacts are given prophylactic abx