Pertussis. Presentation, investigation and management.
BACKGROUND
Pertussis (whooping cough) is a highly infectious, preventable disease, which causes significant morbidity and mortality.


OBJECTIVE
This article discusses the presentations, investigations and management of cases and their contacts.


CONCLUSIONS
Maternal antibody does not confer protection to the infant so babies are particularly at risk of infection and complications until they have completed the primary course of vaccinations at 2, 4 and 6 months of age. Diagnosis is primarily clinical, but can be confirmed with immunofluorescence on nasopharyngeal aspirate or nasal swab. Recent changes to the Australian Standard Vaccination Schedule include the removal of the 18 month dose of DTPa and the addition of an adult formulation booster vaccination at 15-17 years of age.
Frydenberg
Alexis
A
Paediatric Infectious Diseases Unit, Department of General Medicine, Royal Children's Hospital, Melbourne, Victoria.
Starr
Mike
M
D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000900:Anti-Bacterial Agents / Q000627:therapeutic use; D001315:Australia; D001886:Bordetella pertussis / Q000302:isolation & purification; D002648:Child; D002675:Child, Preschool; D005194:Family Practice / Q000379:methods* / Q000592:standards; D006801:Humans; D007115:Immunization Schedule; D007223:Infant; D010356:Patient Isolation / Q000592:standards; D010567:Pertussis Vaccine / Q000627:therapeutic use; D017410:Practice Guidelines as Topic; D014917:Whooping Cough / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000382:microbiology / Q000517:prevention & control*
D000900:Anti-Bacterial Agents; D010567:Pertussis Vaccine