Pertussis

Tdap stands for tetanus (T), diphtheria, (D), and acellular pertussis (aP). The Tdap vaccine became available in 2005 for older children and adults. Before 2005, there was no pertussis vaccine for anybody over 6 years of age. Tdap is different than the DTaP vaccine (diphtheria, tetanus, and whooping cough), which is given to infants and children in five doses, starting at 2 months of age. Tdap is only for those above age 7. Is it a live vaccine? Nope. Diphtheria, pertussis, and tetanus vaccines aren’t live vaccinations. • inactivated vaccines, which contain microbes killed by chemicals, heat, or radiation • subunits, which contain only part of the microbe • toxoids, which contain inactivated toxins • conjugate, which contains a subunit linked to a toxoid Since the Tdap vaccine isn’t live, it can’t cause these diseases. Tetanus Tetanus is not a communicable disease, meaning it doesn’t pass from person to person. The bacteria are usually found in soil, dust, and manure and enter the body through breaks in the skin. Tetanus is often referred to as lockjaw because tightening of the jaw muscles is one of the most common signs of this infection. Tetanus can lead to serious health problems, including an inability to open your mouth and difficulty swallowing and breathing. Today, tetanus is uncommon in the United States, with an average of about Diphtheria Diphtheria is caused by strains of bacteria that are typically transmitted through respiratory droplets, coughing, or sneezing...

What is pertussis? Pertussis, often called whooping cough, is caused by a bacterial infection. It’s a highly contagious illness that spreads easily from person to person through airborne germs from the nose and throat. While infants have the greatest chance of getting whooping cough, the illness can be contracted at any age. In general, whooping cough starts off like a common cold. Symptoms can include runny nose, low-grade fever, tiredness, and a mild or occasional cough. Over time, coughing spells become more severe. Coughing may last for several weeks, sometimes 10 weeks or longer. Scientific studies suggest that up to The severity of symptoms may vary in adults. Symptoms are often less severe in adults who have gained some protection against whooping cough from a previous immunization or infection. Symptoms of pertussis in adults may include: • prolonged, severe coughing fits, followed by gasping for breath • vomiting after coughing fits • exhaustion after coughing fits The classic “whoop” symptom is a high-pitched wheezing sound made when a person gasps for breath after a severe coughing attack. This symptom may be absent in adults with whooping cough. It usually takes about seven to 10 days after being exposed to the infection to start showing symptoms. Full recovery from whooping cough may take two to three months. Doctors divide whooping cough into Stage 1: The earliest stage of whooping cough may last one to two weeks. During this time, symptoms are similar to the...

What Are the Symptoms of Pertussis? Symptoms of pertussis start 7 to 10 days after being exposed and vary by age. They usually begin as cold-like symptoms including a runny nose, tearing eyes, fatigue and fever. It is not until the disease progresses that it can differentiate itself from other respiratory illnesses. After a week or two, children, teens and adults with pertussis may develop a harsh repetitive cough, sometimes accompanied by a “whooping” sound. This sound happens when all the air is gone from your lungs, and so you inhale as you cough, creating a “ These intense coughing spells will often result in loss of bladder control, vomiting and cause exhaustion, light-headedness and headaches. The lips and areas around the lips may even turn blue immediately after a coughing spell. The cough may be brought on by yawning, stretching, laughing, yelling or exercise. It may start by being more frequent at night, but the longer pertussis goes without treatment, the more common the fits will become until the disease runs its course, which can be several months. Symptoms of pertussis in adolescents and adults are often less severe than in infants and children, particularly if they were vaccinated as children. However, high risk individuals, How Is Pertussis Diagnosed? Because the symptoms are similar to those of other respiratory illnesses, it is rare for a diagnosis to be made in the early stages. However, once the illness has progressed, your doctor may be able to make a ...