Abstract

FREITAS, Joana; SOUSA, Susana Gama de; MIGUEL, Cristina  and  FONSECA, Paula. Pertussis keeps on killing. Rev Port Pneumol [online]. 2010, vol.16, n.2, pp.315-320. ISSN 0873-2159.

Pertussis, or whooping cough, is a highly infectious respiratory disease, endemic all over the world, caused by bacteria Bordetella pertussis. The authors describe the case of a 36 day old infant, brought to the emergency room due to respiratory distress and cyanosing cough, admitted with suspected pertussis infection complicated by bacterial pneumonia, having begun large spectrum antibiotics. Labs showed hyperleukocytosis and thrombocytosis. She was transferred to an Intensive Care Unit because of a worsened state, dying 20 hours after admission with pulmonary hypertension and haemorrhage. Pertussis was diagnosed by PCR. Over the last few years, there has been an increase in the number of cases of pertussis. Adolescents and adults have become an under-recognized but significant source of infection, particularly to small unvaccinated infants. The authors underline the importance of recognizing pertussis, so that even in its atypical presentation, one can suspect, treat, report and prevent a disease that is not, and is not expected to be, eradicated any time soon. New vaccination strategies are necessary, to avoid this disease, which can be fatal to the most vulnerable.

Keywords : Pertussis; whooping cough; vaccination.

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