Pertussis In Children

GENERAL INFORMATION:

What is pertussis?

• Pertussis is an infection of the nose, throat, and lungs. It is also called whooping cough. With pertussis, air passages narrow and get plugged with thick sputum (spit). This may cause your child to have coughing spells. Anyone can have pertussis but it is most serious in babies and young children. A baby may get pertussis before he is old enough to get the shots to prevent the infection.
  
  
• Pertussis is not common because most children get shots (immunizations) to prevent the disease. The DTaP vaccine (called the "acellular" type) protects your child against diphtheria (D), pertussis (aP), and tetanus (T). This vaccine is usually given in a series of five shots before a child is six years. Teenagers and young adults lose DPT protection as they age.

What causes pertussis? Pertussis is caused by a germ called a bacteria. It is easily spread in the air from someone with pertussis who coughs or sneezes. It may take 3 to 21 days to get pertussis after coming in contact with the bacteria. This time is called the incubation period.

What are the signs and symptoms of pertussis? Pertussis begins like a cold. Your child may have the following signs and symptoms:

• A cough that may worsen after 7 to 14 days. After a coughing spell, it may seem like your child cannot get his next breath. When the coughing ends and your child takes a breath, he may make a "whooping" noise. When coughing, his face or fingertips may turn red, blue, or white because he is not getting enough oxygen. This part of the disease may last 14 days or longer. After 2 to 4 more weeks, your child will begin to feel better. The cough may last 1 to 3 months.
  
  
• Higher than normal body temperature.
  
  
• Mouth drooling.
  
  
• No interest in eating or drinking, vomiting (throwing up) because of the coughing.
  
  
• Red or watery eyes.
  
  
• Sneezing, stuffy nose.
  
  
• Tiredness.

How is pertussis treated?

• Antibiotic medicine: Antibiotic medicine may be used to treat pertussis after coughing begins.
  
  
• Drink extra liquids: Encourage your child to drink small amounts of fluids every hour when awake. This will help prevent him from becoming dehydrated. Dehydration is caused by not drinking enough liquid, or by losing too much body water. Body water can be lost with diarrhea, vomiting, or high fevers. Signs of dehydration include dry skin and mouth, and dark urine or less urine than usual. Good liquids for most people to drink are water, some fruit juices, and decaffeinated sports drinks. Limit the amount of caffeine that your child drinks. Caffeine may be found in coffee, tea, and in some soda pops, sports drinks, and foods. Read the food and drink labels to learn if they contain caffeine.
  
  
• Fever: Your child can take acetaminophen or ibuprofen for fever. Do not give your child other over-the- counter (OTC) medicines without first talking to your child's caregiver. Some of these medicines also contain acetaminophen. Taking too much acetaminophen can hurt your child's liver. Do not give your child aspirin. It may cause a serious disease called Reye's syndrome. Read medicine labels to see if your child's medicine has aspirin. Aspirin may also be called salicylate or acetylsalicylate.
  
  
• Food: Older children should eat a variety of healthy foods including fruits, vegetables, breads, dairy products, meat, and fish. Eating healthy foods may help your child feel better and have more energy. It may also help him get better faster. If your child is not hungry or tires easily, try feeding him smaller amounts more often.
  
  
• Hospital: Babies and young children are more likely to have serious breathing problems with pertussis. They may need to go into the hospital for tests and treatment.
  
  
• Humidifier: Run a cool mist humidifier to increase air moisture in your child's room. Follow the humidifier instructions carefully for running and cleaning it. Keep the humidifier out of your child's reach. Using the humidifier will help loosen the mucus in your child's throat and make it easier to breathe. It may also soothe your child's cough.
  
  
• Nose: Use a bulb syringe to gently clean your baby's nose. Wash the bulb syringe after each use. Clean out your baby's nose before breast or bottle feeding so he can breathe easier while feeding. You may need to feed your baby smaller amounts more often if he gets tired during feedings. Clean your baby's nose before putting him down to sleep.
  
  
• Rest: Your child should rest as much as possible. Try to keep your child calm. His breathing and coughing may become worse if he is crying and afraid.

How can I keep my child from spreading pertussis to others?

• Your child should stay away from others if he has signs and symptoms of pertussis. He should also stay away from others if he has had contact with someone with pertussis. Call your child's school or day care to tell them that your child has pertussis. Your child should not return to school or day care until your caregiver has said it is OK.
  
  
• Ask your child's caregiver if family members or others need to receive antibiotic medicine or a DPT booster. This may prevent them getting pertussis.

How can pertussis be prevented?

• Children need five DTaP shots to prevent pertussis. These should be given at 2, 4, and 6 months, between 15 to 18 months, and between 4 to 6 years. To learn more about vaccinations (shots), contact the following organization:
  • The National Immunization Program Public Inquiries
    1600 Clifton Road, Mailstop E-05
    Atlanta, GA 30333
    Phone: 1-800-232-4636
    Web Address: http://www.cdc.gov/vaccines/
    
  
  
  

What are the risks of having pertussis? Pertussis is very easily spread to others. If your child has not had the DPaT shots, he may get pertussis. Pertussis may cause other serious health problems, more often in children less than one year. Your child could get pneumonia or an ear infection. Rarely, it may affect your child's brain. This could cause your child to have seizures (convulsions) which may lead to brain damage. Such complications can be very serious. Follow your caregiver's instructions. Call your caregiver if you are worried or have questions about the medicine or your child's care.

CARE AGREEMENT:

You have the right to help plan your child's care. To help with this plan, you must learn about your child's health condition and how it may be treated. You can then discuss treatment options with your child's caregivers. Work with them to decide what care may be used to treat your child.

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