MEDICAL INSIDER-DR BRYAN
PERTUSSIS
(Part 2)
The Bohol Tribune (TBT): Could there be complications that can be caused by pertussis?
(To be continued)
Dr. Bryan Cepedoza: So, you are trying to ask the question: What are the complications of Pertussis?
The Bohol Tribune (TBT): That is right, Dr. Bryan.
Dr. Bryan Cepedoza: As I said in the earlier part of our conversation, Pertussis in infants is often severe. In fact, infants are more likely to develop complications than older children or adults.
The Bohol Tribune (TBT): Is that so, Dr.?
Dr. Bryan Cepedoza: Yes and the most common complication of Pertussis is pneumonia, bacterial pneumonia. There are other complications but I consider them rare. These rare complications include seizures, inflammation of the brain, and death.
The Bohol Tribune (TBT): I have heard of what they call as long term complications of Pertussis. What is meant by long term complications of Pertussis? What are these complications, Dr. Bryan?
Dr. Bryan Cepedoza: That’s true. There is such a thing which is called apnea. Sixty eight per cent of patients having Pertussis will likely have apnea. These are life-threatening pauses in breathing. Then 22% may get pneumonia or lung infection; while 2% will have convulsions. These are the patients who will experience violent, uncontrolled shaking. Moreover, 0.6%, will have encephalopathy which is a disease of the brain. You can find these data in books and journals.
The Bohol Tribune (TBT): I see. So, encephalopathy is a complication of Pertussis which affects the brain.
Dr. Bryan Cepedoza: Yes! These are neurologic complications manifested by seizures which may occur as a result of hypoxia from coughing, or possibly from Pertussis toxin..
The Bohol Tribune (TBT): And you said, Dr. Bryan that these are common among children?
Dr. Bryan Cepedoza: As I said, neurologic complications of Pertussis are more, indeed, common among infants
The Bohol Tribune (TBT): Why are infants and children the common victims of Pertussis, Dr. Bryan?
Dr. Bryan Cepedoza: Why Infants and Children? Well, we have to remember that there are those children who have not received all the recommended vaccines. There are also mothers who can put their babies at risk of Pertussis especially if these mothers did not get Tdap while pregnant.
The Bohol Tribune (TBT): What is Tdap, Dr. Bryan? (To be continued)