Pertussis
Description
- "Whooping cough" - Bordetella pertussis, a fastidious Gram-negative coccobacillus
- *Notifiable* in every Australian jurisdiction
Three clinical phases
| Phase | Duration | Features |
|---|---|---|
| Catarrhal | 1-2 weeks | Coryza, mild cough, low-grade fever. *Most infectious phase* |
| Paroxysmal | 2-8 weeks | Paroxysms of coughing, inspiratory "whoop", post-tussive vomiting, cough syncope, subconjunctival haemorrhage |
| Convalescent | Weeks-months | Gradually resolving cough. "The 100-day cough" |
- Adults and vaccinated children often have none of the classic features - just a persistent dry cough
- -> consider pertussis in any cough lasting >2 weeks, especially if paroxysmal, worse at night, or with post-tussive vomiting
- B. parapertussis causes a milder, similar illness
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