Whooping Cough (Pertussis)

Acute trachea bronchitis caused by Bordetella pertussis

Aetiology

  • Bordetella pertussis

Clinical presentation

  • ‘Cold-like’ symptoms for 2 weeks followed by paroxysmal coughing, vomiting common
  • Residual cough for a month +

Investigations

  • Pernasal swab - culture, PCR, serology

Management

  • Antibiotics if cough <21 days
  • Vaccination for prevention