Vaccine and Pertussis Spreads
Shaala D. Kirkby
K. Burgan
Medical Billing & Coding Specialist
12 September 2011 Pertussis
Whooping cough, which is also known as, Pertussis, is caused by infection by the Bordetella Pertussis bacteria. A highly contagious bacterial disease affects the respiratory system and produces spasms of coughing that usually end in a high-pitched whooping sound.
Pertussis spreads faster in Hispanics and Asians, then in Caucasians, African Americans, and Persians. But Caucasians, African Americans and Persians are more likely to die from Pertussis, then Hispanics and Asians; doctors have not figured out why.
Bordetella Pertussis the bacteria invades the nose and throat and then the trachea followed by the bronchial tubes of the lungs causes’ pertussis. People usually contract the bacteria through the air when an infected person coughs or sneezes. Then people inhale or been exposed to the infected saliva. People who have been immunized in the past may still develop infection but it is usually uncommon or very mild that is another cause of whooping cough. “The incubation period is usually about 4 - 21 days.” (CDC, 2011)
Pertussis is a round-shaped gram-positive bacterium. Some of the symptoms of Pertussis include runny nose, coughing that may be dry or may produce phlegm. Along with a fever typically 102°F or higher. Severe coughing attacks that ends in a high-pitched crowing sound when inhaling or it will end in a high-pitched "whoop". The coughing spells may end in a brief loss of consciousness and or vomiting. It also results in difficulty at breathing. It also can cause some people to have diarrhea. “When some small infants have, long spells of coughing, usually begin to cry which causes them to choke on their own tears.” (California Public Health, 2010)
DTaP can treat pertussis, which is a vaccine that protects children, newborn to 18 years old against the disease.
K. Burgan
Medical Billing & Coding Specialist
12 September 2011 Pertussis
Whooping cough, which is also known as, Pertussis, is caused by infection by the Bordetella Pertussis bacteria. A highly contagious bacterial disease affects the respiratory system and produces spasms of coughing that usually end in a high-pitched whooping sound.
Pertussis spreads faster in Hispanics and Asians, then in Caucasians, African Americans, and Persians. But Caucasians, African Americans and Persians are more likely to die from Pertussis, then Hispanics and Asians; doctors have not figured out why.
Bordetella Pertussis the bacteria invades the nose and throat and then the trachea followed by the bronchial tubes of the lungs causes’ pertussis. People usually contract the bacteria through the air when an infected person coughs or sneezes. Then people inhale or been exposed to the infected saliva. People who have been immunized in the past may still develop infection but it is usually uncommon or very mild that is another cause of whooping cough. “The incubation period is usually about 4 - 21 days.” (CDC, 2011)
Pertussis is a round-shaped gram-positive bacterium. Some of the symptoms of Pertussis include runny nose, coughing that may be dry or may produce phlegm. Along with a fever typically 102°F or higher. Severe coughing attacks that ends in a high-pitched crowing sound when inhaling or it will end in a high-pitched "whoop". The coughing spells may end in a brief loss of consciousness and or vomiting. It also results in difficulty at breathing. It also can cause some people to have diarrhea. “When some small infants have, long spells of coughing, usually begin to cry which causes them to choke on their own tears.” (California Public Health, 2010)
DTaP can treat pertussis, which is a vaccine that protects children, newborn to 18 years old against the disease.
Cited: 1). CDC, “Pertussis (Whooping Cough) Vaccination”, (July, 2011), September 1, 2011 < http://www.cdc.gov/vaccines/vpd-vac/pertussis/>. 2). California Public Health, “Cases of Pertussis (Whooping Cough)”, (2010), August 29, 2011 <http://www.cdph.ca.gov/healthinfo/discond/pages/pertussis.aspx> 3). Med-Line Plus, “Pertussis”, (November 2, 2009), August 30, 2011 < http://www.nlm.nih.gov/medlineplus/ency/article/001561.htm> 4). Iowa Public Health, “Pertussis Outbreak Management Through Epidemiological Principles”, PowerPoint, pages 39, (2008), August 27, 2011 <http://www.idph.state.ia.us/adper/ pertussis.asp> 5). Steven Reinberg, HealthDay, “Whooping cough outbreaks show many not vaccinated”, (October 17, 2010), September 3, 2011 < http://www.usatoday.com/yourlife/health/medical/2010-10-17-whooping-cough_N.htm>