Five tips for dealing with whooping cough | NewAlcarria
Guadalajara pediatrician Alfonso Ortigado conveys professional and reassuring information about whooping cough cases occurring in Guadalajara.
However, as a medical professional, he says it’s important to have “concise information and pay attention to the advice we give to parents, because the clearer and more accurate the information is provided, the less likely they are to turn to Dr. Google.” »
Send an encouraging message and give some recommendations:
What it is? “It’s a respiratory tract infection. What produces it? “A bacterium called Bordetella pertussis.”
How is it transmitted? “From person to person through respiratory secretions and saliva.”
What is the disease?
It has 2 phases:
Catarrhal phase (1 week): as with a simple cold, “even without fever.”
Paroxysmal phase (2-6 weeks): “COUGH predominates in attacks (“paroxysmal”), especially at night, which can end in a “cough” or cause vomiting. Children under 1 year of age may experience “apnea pauses.”
How is it diagnosed? Nasopharyngeal sample: PCR (genetic material) or culture.
Problems: it is very contagious, be careful “unvaccinated children” or “under 1 year of age”.
Importance of the vaccine: In 1965, the whooping cough vaccine was introduced in Spain and the incidence and, above all, the symptoms of the disease changed; it used to be more serious. But neither natural infection nor vaccines provide lasting immunity, so repeated infections occur with cyclical epidemic outbreaks every 3-5 years.
Current pertussis vaccination schedule: 2 months-4 months-11 months-6 years
Patient at risk: neonatal period – 2 months (until the 1st dose of vaccine)
Vaccine for pregnant women (27 weeks): Since 2015, pregnant women have been vaccinated to protect their newborn.
Care: Since it is a bacterium, it can be treated with antibiotics (macrolides: azithromycin)
Period of possibility of infection: 21 days without treatment, 5 days with treatment.
conclusions:
1.- Calm: Thanks to vaccines, most cases of the disease are mild and do not require hospitalization.
2.- Responsibility: We must all adhere to the recommended isolation period.
3.- Antibiotic is important (treatment if applicable and exposure prophylaxis)
4.- Important vaccination status.
5.- Dogma in pediatrics: “Any cough lasting more than 2 weeks should see a doctor.”