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Clinical Overview of Pertussis
Cause
B. pertussis is a fastidious, gram-negative bacterium requiring special media for isolation. B. pertussis produces multiple antigenic and biologically active products including:
- Adenylate cyclase
- Agglutinogens
- Filamentous hemagglutinin
- Pertactin
- Pertussis toxin
- Tracheal cytotoxin
These products are responsible for the clinical features of pertussis.
An immune response to one or more of them produces immunity following infection.
Some observational studies suggest that pertussis infection can provide immunity for 4 to 20 years, but that it's not lifelong.
Incubation
Pertussis symptoms usually develop within 5 to 10 days after exposure, but sometimes not for as long as 21 days.
How it spreads
Transmission is usually person to person through respiratory droplets or contact with airborne droplets.
Clinical features
Pertussis has an insidious onset with catarrhal symptoms that are indistinguishable from those of minor respiratory tract infections.
Next is the paroxysmal stage characterized by numerous, r
- how long is whooping cough contagious in adults
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