Infection of the trachea caused by Bordatella Pertussis virus.
Mainly affects infants and young children.
Spread through exposure to affected people and through air droplets.
Characterized by paroxysms of coughing that end with the 'whoop' sound.
1 of 6
What is the Pathophysiology of Pertussis?
Pertussis virus makes proteins which interrupt immune response.
Proteins anchor onto ciliated cells in the airway and kill them.
Mucus can't be moved out of the airway due to no cilia, so mucus builds up triggering a cough reflex.
The blood vessels near the area of infection become leaky to allow lymphocytes to arrive at the tissues.
Macrophages engulf the virus, but cannot destroy it due to toxins stopping the action.
Pertussis Toxin (PT) and Adenylate Cyclase Toxin (ACT) invade cells and disrupt their normal function. Due to this, cells aren't activated (e.g. dendritic cells, t helper cells, IgE cells and mast cells).
PT and ACT cause extra holes in the blood vessels, causing fluid to leak out. This causes the vessel to swell.
This causes air resistance which causes the 'whoop' sound with the cough.
Lymphocytes in the blood vessel multiply due to PT. This is called lymphocytosis.
2 of 6
What is the Catarrhal Stage (Pertussis)
Lasts 1-2 weeks.
Infection highly contagious
Infection in upper respiratory tract
Symptoms: runny nose, low-grade fever, mild cough
3 of 6
What is the Paroxysmal Stage? (Pertussis)
Lasts 1-6 weeks.
Can last up to 10 weeks.
Worst stage of the infection.
Infection causes mucus to build up in the airways.
Symptoms: coughing fits followed by whoop sound, vomiting and exhaustion after coughing fits (paroxysms)
4 of 6
What is the Convalescent Stage? (Pertussis)
Lasts 2-3 weeks
Children more susceptible to other respiratory infections.
Recovery gradual
Coughing fits lessen.
Damage to respiratory tract begins to heal.
5 of 6
What are the Treatments for Pertussis?
Can be prevented with pertussis vaccine.
Usually part of the DTaP (diphtheria, tetanus and pertussis) vaccine.
Given to children at 2, 4, 5 and 15-18 months old.
Booster at 2-6 years old.
Some cases still occur (particularly in infants under 6 months)
Comments
No comments have yet been made