Pertussis: Diagnosis and Treatment
DIAGNOSIS
The diagnosis is easy in preschoolers or older children, but infants and children younger than 6 months the picture is not typical and should be suspected when the cough is intense and prolonged.
In lab tests found a prevalence linfositario leukocytosis can reach 100 thousand or more white blood cells per cubic millimeter.
The etiological diagnosis can only be carried out by special bordetella nasopharyngeal and virological study
TREATMENT AND RECOMMENDATIONS
The treatment for pertussis Bordetella pertussis is erythromycin base. Although the bordetella has been shown to be sensitive to multiple antibiotics in vitro.If we consider that pertussis is a syndrome of multiple etiology, understand why the poor treatment outcomes.
When the virus responsible for the table are some antivirals can be used but their results are doubtful.
Symptomatic treatment is based on the control of coughing. And maintain good hydration. Should you require hospitalization, oxygen should be administered carefully aspirated and phlegm. When pneumonia is used antibiotics such as ampicillin.
Seizures occur in case will be handled with non-barbiturate sedatives, such as sodium.
PREVENTION
PASSIVE IMMUNIZATION .- In patients who have been in contact with patients, hyperimmune globulin be administered as 3.73 ml total dose to prevent the condition.
ACTIVE IMMUNIZATION .- A dose of 0.5 ml Bordetella pertussis vaccine prepared mixed with tetanus and diphtheria toxoid (triple) at two months old and is repeated four to six months.
The reinforcements are given annually to four years old.