Medical Insider – Dr. Bryan Cepedoza
PERTUSSIS
(Part 7)
The Bohol Tribune (TBT): If I may ask again, Dr. Bryan, how does PERTUSSIS affect the lungs?
Dr. Bryan Cepedoza: If the bacteria that cause PERTUSSIS spread to the lungs, they could multiply there; and if the situation gets worse, the lungs, sometimes, cannot anymore function properly and we will have difficulty breathing.
The Bohol Tribune (TBT): Really?
Dr. Bryan Cepedoza: Yes. And we have to remember that once a person inhales from an infected person the bacteria which cause PERTUSSIS (as the latter coughs or sneezes), such bacteria would attach to the tiny, hair-like structures (cilia). The cilia line the upper respiratory system and could release poisons that damage them. The situation, causes the airways to swell, making it hard for the person to breathe
The Bohol Tribune (TBT): Does PERTUSSIS affect the immune system of the person?
Dr. Bryan Cepedoza: The situation is something like this. When the bacteria inhaled by the person will reproduce, they produce toxins that paralyse cells in the windpipe and lungs that clear the airways of mucus and debris. The bacterial toxin will paralyze some of the body’s immune cells and will prevent them from attacking the bacteria.
The Bohol Tribune (TBT): So how do lungs sound like with PERTUSSIS?
Dr. Bryan Cepedoza: Like what I have said, whooping cough (pertussis) is presented by a severe hacking cough followed by a high-pitched intake of breath that sounds like “whoop.”
The Bohol Tribune (TBT): By the way, Dr. Bryan, if there is any damage caused by PERTUSSIS on the lungs of a person, will the damage be long term?
Dr. Bryan Cepedoza: Studies will show that Bronchiectasis can develop if the tissue and muscles that surround the bronchi are damaged or destroyed. So, the long term damage could be caused by having had a lung infection in the past, such as pneumonia or whooping cough; and the damage could be in the bronchi.
The Bohol Tribune (TBT): What happens if we do not treat PERTUSSIS?
Dr. Bryan Cepedoza: It could lead to complications like pneumonia. . . . bacterial pneumonia. Although rare, yet, like what I said, some serious complications of PERTUSSIS if left untreated could be seizures, inflammation of the brain and even death.
The Bohol Tribune (TBT): How about the PERTUSSIS vaccine, Dr. Bryan? What are some of its side effects on the person?
Dr. Bryan Cepedoza: Well, after having the whooping cough vaccine, a person may have some mild side effects like swelling, redness or tenderness of the skin where the vaccine is injected . . . usually in the upper arm of the person. This is not a cause for worry. All these are normal after a person gets the vaccine. The situation will only last for a few days. (To be continued)