MEDICAL INSIDER-DR BRYAN
PERTUSSIS
(Part 1)
The Bohol Tribune (TBT): Good afternoon, Dr. Bryan. You are really the man of the hour since our topic today is your expertise. We are going to discuss what is being feared of by mothers nowadays, PERTUSSIS. Initially what is PERTUSSIS?
Dr. Bryan Cepedoza: Pertussis is a highly contagious respiratory tract infection. This is also called the
Whooping Cough. This is caused by a bacterium that is infectious and it is the same as ordinary bacteria that can easily infect infants and children because it can cause a persistent cough. This persistent cough can go on almost without stopping. There are some who would break their ribs from coughing. Others would have hemorrhage in the eyes.
The Bohol Tribune (TBT): That sounds scary!
Dr. Bryan Cepedoza: To some people, they may experience severe hacking cough followed by a high-pitched intake of breath that sounds like “whoop”. Hence, this is called a whooping cough. It used to be considered a childhood disease. Thank God, there is already a vaccine for this.
The Bohol Tribune (TBT): What are some of the symptoms of pertussis, Dr. Bryan?
Dr. Bryan Cepedoza: Like what I said earlier, coughing is one of the symptoms. And this kind of coughing is violent and rapid.
The Bohol Tribune (TBT): What do you mean?
Dr. Bryan Cepedoza: There is violent and rapid coughing of the person until all the air has left the lungs and a person is forced to inhale, causing a “whooping” sound. Another symptom is nasal discharge. One could also have the sneezing sign. Fever can also manifest as a symptom including sore and watery eyes. Remember, during the coughing attack of the person, his lips, tongue and nailbeds may turn blue.
The Bohol Tribune (TBT): What is the best treatment for pertussis?
Dr. Bryan Cepedoza: Let us not talk about the treatment now. Let us first discuss its causes.
The Bohol Tribune (TBT): Oh yes. What causes pertussis?
Dr. Bryan Cepedoza: Pertussis or whooping cough is caused by a bacterium called Bordetella pertussis or Bordetella parapertussis. This bacterium is found in the mouth, nose and throat of an infected person. And where do you get pertussis bacteria? Pertussis bacteria are spread through droplets produced during coughing or sneezing. These droplets don’t travel very far through the air and usually infect only persons nearby.
The Bohol Tribune (TBT): Who is likely to get pertussis? I mean, who could be infected commonly by pertussis?
Dr. Bryan Cepedoza: That is a good question. Usually, the following are easily infected by the bacterium causing pertussis: Infants under one year old; Pregnant women (especially in the third trimester); and People who have a chronic respiratory illness.
The Bohol Tribune (TBT): Could there be complications that can be caused by pertussis?
(To be continued)