Recife confirms cases of pertussis; learn how to avoid the disease

Recife (PE) recorded the first cases of pertussis of the year in the country. The patients are two children, aged 4 months and 2 years. The city’s Municipal Health Department did not reveal whether they were immunized against the disease.

Whooping cough

Whooping cough is a transmissible respiratory infection caused by bacteria (Bordetella Pertussis). It is present all over the world, and its main characteristic is attacks of dry cough.

According to the Ministry of Health, the infection can reach the trachea and bronchi. Children under six months of age may experience complications from whooping cough. And, without treatment, the disease can lead to death.

Transmission and symptoms

Dr. Julio Henrique Onita, infectious disease specialist at Hospital Alemão Oswaldo Cruz, explains that transmission occurs through close contact and through droplets from infected patients.

There are cases in which pertussis does not present symptoms, which directly influences the transmission of the disease, especially within the same household. “That’s why it’s important [estar atento] when the patient presents any symptoms, especially coughing”, highlights the infectious disease specialist.

Furthermore, the disease can also cause discomfort and depression. Julio points out two phases of whooping cough: catarrhal, in which there is the presence of phlegm in the cough; and the paroxysm phase, in which the initial symptoms worsen, and the patient (especially children) commonly vomits after a coughing attack.

“Coughing is very characteristic. This is because the patient manifests shortness of breath after coughing. So, it is a symptom that needs to be paid close attention, especially in children”, points out the infectious disease specialist. The diagnosis, according to the doctor, is clinical.

Prevention

According to Dr. Julio Henrique, having whooping cough is unacceptable. This is because the disease has been controlled in Brazil for several years as a result of vaccination. Therefore, cases are sporadic. “When there is a case of pertussis, it was probably also a case of vaccination in the region”, he highlights.

Prevention for pertussis occurs through the pentavalent vaccine, which immunizes against diphtheria, tetanus, pertussis, haemophilus influenzae type B and hepatitis B. According to the Ministry of Health, the main risk factors for the disease are directly related to the lack of vaccination.

• In children, immunity to the disease is acquired when they take three doses of the vaccine, requiring boosters at 15 months and 4 years of age.
• It may be that the adult, even having been vaccinated as a baby, becomes susceptible to the disease again because the vaccine may lose its effect over time.