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Pertussis

Alternative Names: Whooping cough Symptoms: runny nose slight fever (102°F or lower) severe, repeated coughs that: make breathing difficult result in vomiting produce a high-pitched "whooping" sound when a person takes a breath cause a short loss of consciousness diarrhea choking spells in infants Signs and tests: The initial diagnosis is usually based on the symptoms. However, when the symptoms are not obvious, pertussis may be difficult to diagnose. In very young infants, the symptoms may be caused by pneumomnia instead. Text Continues Below To know for sure, the health care provider may take a sample of mucus from the nose nasal secretions and send it to a lab, which tests it for pertussis. While this can offer an accurate diagnosis, the test some time, and treatment is usually started before the results are ready. Some patients may have a complete blood count that shows large numbers of lymphocytes. References: Braman SS. Postinfectious cough: ACCP evidence-based clinical practice guidelines. Chest. 2006;129(1 Suppl):138S-146S. US Food and Drug Administration. First Combination Vaccine Approved to Help Protect Adolescents Against Whooping Cough. Rockville, MD: National Press Office; May 3, 2005. Talk Paper T05-17. Cohn AC. Immunizations in the United States: a rite of passage.Pediatr Clin North Am. 2005; 52(3): 669-93, v.

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