Pertussis prevention and treatment: a call for wider access to azithromycin.
Azithromycin is recommended as the first-line antibiotic for the prophylaxis and treatment of pertussis, a common vaccine-preventable communicable disease. Azithromycin is better tolerated than other macrolide antibiotics. Access to azithromycin is limited, as the product information and the Pharmaceutical Benefits Scheme do not include azithromycin for pertussis. Issues regarding access to azithromycin are highlighted in a case report of pertussis exposure in a tertiary paediatric hospital.
Sydney Children's Hospital, Sydney, NSW, Australia.
Asha C
AC
Bowen
Mark J
MJ
Ferson
Linda V
LV
Graudins
Pamela
P
Palasanthiran
D000900:Anti-Bacterial Agents / Q000600:supply & distribution* / Q000627:therapeutic use; D019072:Antibiotic Prophylaxis; D001315:Australia; D017963:Azithromycin / Q000600:supply & distribution* / Q000627:therapeutic use; D016358:Contact Tracing; D003428:Cross Infection / Q000517:prevention & control*; D006776:Hospitals, Pediatric; D006801:Humans; D017757:Infectious Disease Transmission, Professional-to-Patient / Q000517:prevention & control*; D009313:National Health Programs / Q000592:standards; D019982:Organizational Case Studies; D014917:Whooping Cough / Q000188:drug therapy*
D000900:Anti-Bacterial Agents; D017963:Azithromycin