What causes the disease known as whooping cough?
Whooping cough is caused by the bacteria Bordetella pertussis. This bacterium spreads through tiny droplets released when an infected person coughs or sneezes.
Questions about Whooping cough
Short answers, pulled from the story.
How long does the illness called whooping cough last?
The 100-day cough earns its nickname because severe fits can last ten weeks or more. Initial symptoms mimic a common cold before shifting into uncontrollable paroxysms within two to three weeks.
When was the first vaccine for whooping cough developed?
Jules Bordet and Octave Gengou developed the first inactivated whole-cell vaccine in 1912 at the Pasteur Institute. Leila Denmark later partnered with Emory University and Eli Lilly & Company to develop the first safe and effective pertussis vaccine following an outbreak in Atlanta Georgia in 1932.
Why do infants under one year old face higher risks from whooping cough?
Infants under one year old may never show the classic whoop and instead face periods where breathing simply stops. They are also vulnerable to rib fractures and pulmonary hypertension which is a major cause of death in severe cases.
What antibiotics treat infections caused by Bordetella pertussis?
Erythromycin clarithromycin azithromycin or trimethoprim-sulfamethoxazole serve as standard antibiotic treatments. Newer macrolides are frequently chosen due to lower rates of side effects.