Pertussis Among Children: Causes, Symptoms and Prevention

Abstract:

Bordetella pertussis is the type of bacteria that causes pertussis, an acute

respiratory tract infection that is extremely contagious. This disease has 3
stages: catarrhal, paroxysmal, and convalescent. Children are typically
affected because of their weakened immune systems. The World Health
Organization (WHO) states that once an individual has contracted this B.
pertussis, they will cough violently and quickly until all the air is forced out of
their lungs and they are forced to breathe in, making a "whooping" sound. They
will also sneeze, have nasal discharge, feel feverish, have painful eyes, and
during coughing fits, the lips, tongue, and nail beds may turn blue. However, there are a number of
preventative measures we may take to shield ourselves from contracting this virus. When you cough
or sneeze, all you have to do is cover your mouth and nose with a tissue or wear a facemask. As a
result, you can utilize this to defend yourself from viruses. But vaccination is the most effective
approach to avoid contracting pertussis. It will assist us in reducing or halting the pertussis outbreak

Introduction

Pertussis, also known as whooping rough, is a respiratory tract infection caused

by the Gram-negative bacterium Bordetella pertussis. According to Nils Rosen
von Rosenstein, the disease first appeared in France in 1414. In the 20th century,
pertussis was one of the most common childhood diseases and a major cause
of childhood mortality in the United States. Since widespread use of the
vaccine began, incidence has decreased more than 75% compared with the
prevaccine eга It is estimated to have caused about 16 million cases with 95%
of these cases occurring in developing countries and more than 195,000 deaths
worldwide in 2005 (Alexander Sadiasa et al., 2017).

In addition, according to World Health Organization (WHO), pertussis spreads

easily from person to person mainly through droplets produced by coughing or
sneezing. In addition to this, B. pertussis has 3 stages: catarrhal, paroxysmal,
and convalescent. The catarrhal stage is characterized by modest symptoms
that could go unrecognized. The paroxysmal stage of pertussis is typified by fits
of coughing that produce a characteristic "whooping" sound when inhaled
(perspiration). The condition is commonly known as whooping cough due to this
distinctive cough. Coughing fits become less common and symptoms get better
throughout the convalescent phase of the illness.

Pertussis affects all ages, but most severely infants. Those who experience the
highest age-specific incidence and account for almost all pertussis
hospitalizations and deaths. Even now, more than 80% of US infants younger
than 2 months with reported pertussis are hospitalized. That's why, we
conducted this study to raise awareness to parents, teacher, and students on
the causes, symptoms and prevention on B. pertussis. And also to provide
information on how will they protect the children.

Significance of the Study

STUDENTS. Students will benefit greatly from studying pertussis because it

gives them a broader understanding of infectious diseases, how they spread,
and how to prevent them. It develops a sense of responsibility and raises
awareness of public health by enabling students to make knowledgeable
decisions about their own health as well as the health of others.

CHILDREN. Children benefit greatly from studying pertussis because it'll give
them knowledge about the illness, its signs, and how to avoid getting it. This
knowledge helps them guard against infection in both themselves and other
people.

PARENTS AND GUARDIANS. The study of pertussis is important for parents

because it makes sense of the illness's symptoms and complications, enabling
them to identify and get their kids the right medical attention to ensure their
wellbeing and stop the illness from spreading to other people.

TEACHER. It will enable them to recognize possible cases, work with

healthcare providers to create a safe and healthy learning environment, and
inform students, parents, and colleagues about preventive actions.
FUTURE RESEARCHERS. Future researchers will benefit greatly from studying
pertussis because it opens up new possibilities for understanding the
pathophysiology of the illness, the host immune response, and possible targets
for therapeutic interventions. These discoveries will advance our knowledge of
pertussis and its prevention and treatment.

Objectives:

•Identify the causes of pertussis among children

•Describe the symptoms of pertussis among children and;

•Outline the prevention for pertussis

Definition of Terms

Respiratory - anything related to respiration on how we breathe. In addition to

the nervous, muscular, and skeletal systems, the body has a respiratory system
this is how we get and use oxygen, which we need to survive.

Contagious- is capable of being transmitted by direct or indirect contact, as an

infectious disease.

Catarrhal- inflammation of a mucous membrane that affects the human nose

and air passages.

Proxysmal- is a sudden violent emotion or action and it can also increase or

resume of symptoms

Convalescent- recovering from an illness or operation.

Epidemic- is a outbreak of disease that spreads quickly and effects many

individual at the same time.

Literature Review
 According to study of Decker and Edwards(2018) Bordetella pertussis causes pertussis, also
known as whooping cough. The cilia, which are little hair-like projections that border some areas of
the upper respiratory tract, are where it is attached. Every age is affected by the bacteria's
secretion of toxins, or poisons, which harm cilia and enlarge airways. Nearly all youngsters
contracted the disease in the pre-vaccine period. Although newborns are the majority of
hospitalized and fatal cases of pertussis, the disease can be fatal at any age and poses a
significant risk to them.

Furthermore, according to study of Bocka (2023), there are three stages to pertussis—catarrhal,
paroxysmal, and convalescent. Each lasting one to two weeks during the six-week illness. During
catarrhal phase, you'll be experiencing congestion in the nose, rhinorrhe, sneezing, fever with low
grade, tearing, and shuffled tear film. In addition, in paroxysmal stage you'll be experiencing
periods of prolonged, violent coughing that can linger for many minutes, sometimes accompanied
by a loud whoop, throwing up after a cold and coughing up blood. Lastly, in recuperative phase,
you'll be experiencing long-lasting cough that might persist for weeks.

Moreover, according to S. Esposito(2019), the latest data showed that increasing vaccination
rates across the board. Primary vaccination for newborns, booster shots for children, adolescents,
and adults every ten years. It is essential for the efficient control and prevention of pertussis. The
best course of action for preventing a newborn from contracting pertussis during the first few
months of life is for women to get vaccinated during the third trimester of each pregnancy. This will
allow the infant to develop a protective response following the initial vaccine.

According to Moore 2018, the incubation period (the time between initial infection and the
onset of symptoms) for whooping cough is about 5 to 10 days, but symptoms might not appear for
as long as three weeks, according to CDCT rusted Source early symptoms mimic the common cold
and include a runny nose, cough, and fever. Within two weeks, a dry and persistent cough may
develop that makes breathing very difficult. Children often make a "whoop" sound when they try to
take a breath after coughing spells, though this classic sound is less common in infants. This type of
severe cough can also cause vomiting, blue ue or purple skin around the mouth, dehydration, low-
grade fever, breathing difficulties, while adults and teenagers can experience milder symptoms,
such as a prolonged cough without the "whoop" sound.

Bibliography

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Emergency Medical Service Medical Director, Multiple EMS Service; Ohio EMS RPAB Region Chair

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