Infectious » Bacteria

Whooping Cough

Whooping cough is a respiratory tract infection characterized by a paroxysmal cough. It is a relatively mild disease in adults but has a significant mortality rate in infants. Pertussis is spread by contact with airborne discharges from the mucous membranes of infected people, who are most contagious during the catarrhal stage. Pertussis is a 6-week disease divided into catarrhal, paroxysmal and convalescent stages, each lasting from 1-2 weeks. Antibiotics given during the catarrhal phase may ameliorate the disease. Once cough is established, antimicrobial agents may not alter the course of the illness but are still recommended to limit the spread of disease. The antibiotics include erythromycin, Azithromycin, Clarithromycin or trimethoprim-sulphamethoxazole

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