Could it be whooping cough?
BACKGROUND
Pertussis is an uncommon but serious illness, mainly affecting children under the age of 5 years.


OBJECTIVE
Affected children usually contract the disease from older children or adults in whom the disease presents in an atypical way, their coughing being attributed to other aliments. This article discusses the epidemiology, clinical course and management of pertussis. Prophylaxis is also discussed.


CONCLUSIONS
Pertussis presents as a hacking, mostly nocturnal cough, before becoming constant and occurring in paroxysms. Even though children appear sick, they classically are afebrile. Erythromycin is the treatment of choice for affected children and their immediate family. Achieving a 90% vaccination coverage would eradicate pertussis, but booster vaccinations later in life have been proposed since the protection of vaccination wanes rapidly over a period of 6-10 years.
Central Coast Area Health Services, Gosford, NSW.
J P
JP
Sturmberg
P
P
Watt
D000328:Adult; D000900:Anti-Bacterial Agents / Q000627:therapeutic use; D002648:Child; D002675:Child, Preschool; D003937:Diagnosis, Differential; D004917:Erythromycin / Q000627:therapeutic use; D006801:Humans; D007223:Infant; D014611:Vaccination; D014917:Whooping Cough / Q000150:complications / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000628:therapy* / Q000635:transmission
D000900:Anti-Bacterial Agents; D004917:Erythromycin