Pertussis: Is your child immunized?

Pertussis is an acute infectious disease caused by Bordetella Pertussis. It involves the Tracheobronchial tree. It is characterized by an insidious onset with mild fever and an irritating cough, gradually becoming paroxysmal with the characteristic “whoop” (loud coughing inspiration). The Chinese call it “Hundred Day Cough”.

Occurrence: It prevails all over the world.

Agents: Bordetella Pertussis.

It is small, non-motile, Gram (-)ve bacilli. It is destroyed by drying, exposure to ultra-violet light and a temperature of 55° C.

Host: It is common in babies and toddlers. Most of the cases occur at the age between 1 to 8 years and only a few cases occur after 12 years. Infants below 6 months have the highest mortality.

Sex: all sexes are equally susceptible. But in case of female this case is more fatal.

Immunity: Recovery from whooping cough or adequate immunization is followed by immunity. Second attacks may occur in person with declining immunity; these attacks are mild. Infants are susceptible since birth because maternal antibody does not potent enough against this micro-organism. There is no cross immunity.

Environment: It may occur at any time of the year but the incidence is high during spring and winter. It is common in over-crowded, low socio-economic conditions and poor hygienic people. The risk of the disease is greater in the lower classes than in the well-to-do groups.

Reservoir of Infection: Healthy carrier is undetectable. Man is the only source and reservoir of the infection.

Mode of Transmission: Source of infection is respiratory discharge. It is spread by contact with infected persons by droplet infection and indirectly by contaminated fomites. It is infectious from the onset of catarrhal stage to three weeks.

Incubation Period: 7 days to 21 days.

Control of Whooping Cough:

Some measures of controlling Whooping Cough:

1. Cases & Contacts:
   • Case: Early diagnosis, isolation and treatment of cases. Disinfection of discharge from nose and throat.
   • Contacts: Infants and young children should be kept away from the infected parson.

2. Active immunization: By DPT vaccine. Three doses in EPI schedule. In EPI schedule three doses of DPT vaccine (6th, 10th & 14th weeks) providing a good protection against the disease.

   Unwanted reactions: Local reaction at the site of infection, mild fever and irritability.

   Contraindications: Strong family history of Epilepsy, convulsion or CNS disorder, reaction due to vaccine, febrile upset until fully recovered.

3. Others:
   • Notification of cases to the health authorities.
   • Isolation of the patient for three weeks until the cessation of whoop.
   • Disinfection of the nasopharyngeal discharges with Phenol.

Complications:

• Congestion of the conjunctive
• Malnutrition.
• Rectal prolapse.

It is said that prevention is better than cure. So by immunizing your child you ensure his/her healthful living.