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.
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.