Pertussis: Symptoms, Causes, Treatment
السعال الديكي
Pertussis (whooping cough) is a highly contagious bacterial respiratory infection causing violent coughing fits ending in a whooping intake of breath. It is dangerous for infants, prevented by vaccination, and treated with early antibiotics.
What is Pertussis?
Pertussis, or whooping cough, is a highly contagious bacterial respiratory infection caused by Bordetella pertussis. It is marked by repeated, violent coughing fits that may end in a sharp whooping intake of breath, which gives the disease its name. It spreads through respiratory droplets from an infected person who coughs or sneezes.
The illness passes through three stages: an early cold-like phase, a phase of severe coughing fits that can last for weeks, and a gradual recovery phase. It is especially dangerous for infants under one year, in whom it can cause pauses in breathing and life-threatening complications. Vaccination within Jordan's national schedule (the pentavalent/hexavalent vaccine for children and a Tdap dose for pregnant women and adults) is the most important way to prevent it and limit its spread.
Symptoms
- Mild cough, runny nose, and low fever at first.
- Repeated violent coughing fits ending in a whooping breath.
- Vomiting after a coughing fit and marked exhaustion.
- Bluish color or pauses in breathing in infants.
Causes
- Infection with the bacterium Bordetella pertussis.
- Spread through respiratory droplets from an infected person.
- Reduced immunity from incomplete vaccination or waning protection over time.
Risk factors
Incomplete vaccination or waning immunity increases the chance of pertussis after exposure. Infants, particularly those who have not completed their vaccine doses, are most vulnerable to severe complications. Adolescents or adults may transmit infection despite milder symptoms, so contact with infants matters when assessing a prolonged household cough.
Diagnosis
- Clinical assessment based on the characteristic cough pattern.
- Nasopharyngeal swab and PCR test to confirm the bacterium.
- Blood tests and sometimes a chest X-ray for complications.
Treatment
Antibiotics
- Early antibiotics such as azithromycin reduce infectivity and ease transmission.
Supportive care
- Rest, hydration, and avoiding cough triggers.
- Affected infants may need monitoring or hospital treatment.
This content is educational and does not replace medical advice; antibiotics are prescription-only.
Complications
- Pneumonia.
- Pauses in breathing and low oxygen in infants.
- Seizures or hernia from violent coughing.
Prevention
- Follow the national childhood vaccination schedule.
- A Tdap dose for the mother in each pregnancy and for the infant's close contacts.
- Isolate the patient and wash hands.
When to see a doctor
Go to the emergency department immediately if an infant turns bluish, has pauses in breathing, or has coughing fits that prevent breathing or feeding. See a doctor for any severe, persistent cough or contact with a confirmed case. Book an appointment with a pediatrician on ClinicsJo.