Pertussis Flashcards

Flashcards on pertussis covering key information from the lecture.

What is another name for pertussis?

Whooping cough

Why are infants at particular risk from pertussis?

Pertussis is common and can be fatal in infants.

What is the name of the bacteria that causes whooping cough?

Bordetella pertussis

How does Bordetella pertussis cause illness?

It produces a powerful toxin that kills ciliated respiratory epithelia.

What is one of the hallmarks of pneumonia in infants with pertussis?

The organism is found inside macrophages.

What is apnea?

Interrupted breathing patterns

What are some signs of a severe coughing fit due to pertussis?

Hemorrhaging in the conjunctiva and bruising

Why is pertussis sometimes called the 'hundred day cough'?

Due to the extensive damage to the bronchi, leading to a long-lasting cough.

How long does immunity to pertussis typically last?

Between one and five years

What type of immunity is predominantly involved in pertussis?

IgA immunity

What characteristic sound can be heard in older children and infants with pertussis?

A hoop

What was the bed capacity for infants in the Gippsland hospital?

Two beds

What did the local nurses do to help the infants with pertussis?

They provided 24-hour respiratory support

What was the pertussis vaccination rate before the outbreak?

Ninety-five percent

What did the vaccination rates fall to during the outbreak?

Fifty percent

What intervention helped return immunization rates to 95%?

Adults speaking about their experiences with infants

What percentage of immunization gives sufficient herd immunity?

Ninety-five percent

What medications can be used to reduce the severity of pertussis?

Steroids and erythromycin

When is erythromycin most useful in treating pertussis?

When caught early, during the multiplication stage of the organism.

What type of vaccine is now used for pertussis?

Acellular vaccine

What does the acellular vaccine contain?

Inactivated toxins

Is the acellular vaccine safe to give in pregnancy?

Yes

What level of protection does the pertussis vaccine provide to infants when administered to pregnant women?

Ninety percent

What is recommended for family members of a newborn to protect against pertussis?

All family members should get a booster.

What should a person who doesn't want to get a booster do around infants?

They should not be around an infant under the age of two months.

What is the primary mechanism by which Bordetella pertussis damages the respiratory system?

Production of a toxin that kills ciliated respiratory epithelia.

Besides antibiotics, what other medication is mentioned to reduce the severity of Pertussis symptoms?

Steroids

What is the recommended timing for pregnant women to receive a pertussis booster?

Late in their pregnancy

What is the significance of herd immunity in preventing the spread of pertussis?

It stops the organism from being spread in the community.

What is the impact of swelling airways in infants infected with Bordetella pertussis?

Makes it difficult for infants to breath, leading to hospital admissions.