Whooping cough how does it attack

As the bacteria reproduce, they produce toxins that paralyse cells in the windpipe and lungs that clear the airways of mucus and debris. Another bacterial toxin paralyses some of the body's immune cells and prevents them from attacking the bacteria. Whooping cough bacteria can also multiply inside the lung tissue and cause pneumonia it can also lead to other pneumonias with different bacteria and viruses.

This also stops oxygen in the air from getting into the blood. With time, the body's immune system develops antibodies which are specialised immune proteins that recognise that whooping cough bacteria are foreign. The antibodies stick to the bacteria and help the body's immune cells to respond to fight the infection. Initially, there are so many live bacteria in the throat that each cough can spread bacteria to others.

With time, the numbers of bacteria decrease and by 3 weeks, the numbers of live bacteria have normally been reduced so that the person is no longer able to easily pass the infection on to others, although the cough can linger for a number of weeks, until the airways recover.

Specific antibiotic drugs are sometimes prescribed to help kill off the whooping cough bacteria that are reproducing in the respiratory tract early in the infection.

The result is that the numbers of bacteria fall more quickly. After 5 days of therapy, the numbers of bacteria are low and the person can no longer easily spread the infection to others.

Unfortunately, antibiotics often don't stop the cough. During infection, the immune system learns to recognise the whooping cough bacteria as abnormal and this allows it to respond immediately if the person is exposed to more whooping cough bacteria next time. A more rapid immune response next time the body sees whooping cough bacteria means that the infection is less likely to take hold and cause disease.

Whooping cough vaccination is the single best thing to prevent whooping cough infection. Modern "acellular" whooping cough vaccines work by priming the body's immune system by using tiny amounts of proteins that have been purified from the whooping cough bacterium.

The immune system sees this as if it's an infection and begins to produce antibodies in readiness to fight whooping cough bacteria. The cough may be minimal or absent and the primary symptom can be apnea.

Remember, infants are at risk for severe or fatal pertussis. When you suspect a case in an older child, adolescent, or adult, inquire about contact with infants and pregnant women and consider prophylaxis.

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Cancel Continue. Characterized by: Coryza Low-grade fever Mild, occasional cough which gradually becomes more severe. Characterized by: Gradual recovery Less persistent, paroxysmal coughs that disappear in weeks Paroxysms often recur with subsequent respiratory infections for many months after the onset of pertussis.

Blood tests can also be done for pertussis, but they are not always reliable or easy to interpret. Blood tests may become positive 2 weeks after the onset of illness. Most cases of whooping cough can be treated at home, but severe cases may need treatment in hospital.

Babies younger than 6 months of age with whooping cough usually need to be hospitalised. Antibiotics are mainly given to help reduce the risk of passing the infection on to others.

People are infectious for 3 weeks after the onset of cough, or until they have completed 5 days of appropriate antibiotics. So taking antibiotics can reduce the period that you need to stay off work or school. Antibiotics may also reduce the severity of symptoms if given in the catarrhal or early paroxysmal phase.

People who have been in close contact with someone with whooping cough, such as members of the same household, are at increased risk of developing the infection. Antibiotics may be given to close contacts to help prevent infection. This is especially important if the close contacts are babies aged under 6 months, women in the last month of pregnancy or anyone in close contact with babies such as childcare workers.

Small, frequent meals may help prevent vomiting after bouts of coughing. Make sure you avoid anything that may trigger coughing, including smoke from cigarettes or fireplaces. The best way of preventing or reducing the severity of whooping cough is to be immunised.

All whooping cough vaccines available in Australia are combination vaccines that also protect against other illnesses. There are very few medical reasons why someone should not have a pertussis vaccination. In Australia, vaccination against whooping cough is recommended at age 2, 4, and 6 months as part of the National Immunisation Program Schedule. The 2-month dose can be given as early as 6 weeks of age. Two booster doses are recommended — one at 18 months and one at age 4 years. An additional booster dose is recommended for adolescents between 11 and 13 years.

This booster can be given as part of a school-based vaccination programme. Because the protection from the vaccine wears off over time, booster doses are also recommended for adults who want to avoid getting whooping cough.

Vaccination is especially important for anyone coming into close contact with babies. To protect very young babies, a single booster dose of pertussis vaccine is recommended for pregnant women. The best time for vaccination is between 20 and 32 weeks. This is recommended with each pregnancy, even if 2 pregnancies are close together. Vaccination is also recommended for all carers of young children, including fathers and grandparents.

Mothers not vaccinated during pregnancy should be vaccinated as soon as possible after birth. Anyone in close contact with infants should get a booster every 10 years. There is a higher risk of severe symptoms and complications in older people who get whooping cough. Vaccination is recommended for all adults at ages 50 and 65 years. Side effects may include mild pain, swelling and redness at the injection site.

Uncommon and rare side effects can include fever, significant swelling of the limb where the injection was given and febrile convulsions in children.

Overall, the risk of not being vaccinated and more vulnerable to infection far outweighs the risk of side effects for most people. If you have whooping cough, stay at home to prevent the spread of the disease. People with whooping cough need to stay away from work, school or childcare facilities until they have been on antibiotics for 5 days or they have had the cough for more than 3 weeks.

Your doctor will let you know when you are no longer contagious and can return to your usual activities. While you are sick, practice good cough etiquette and wash your hands frequently. Pertussis whooping cough. Clinical Practice Guidelines: Whooping cough pertussis.

Pertussis published April In: eTG complete. Melbourne: Therapeutic Guidelines Limited; Jun.