The risk of exposure is greater in the lower socio economic class. Recovery from whooping cough or adequate immunization is followed by immunity. It multiplies on the surface epithelium of the respiratory tract and causes inflammation and necrosis of the mucosa. The illness generally lasts 6 to 8 weeks. Control of Whooping Cough Cases and Contacts Cases Early diagnosis, isolation and treatment of cases, and disinfection of discharges from nose and throat are the general principles of control of whooping cough.
Early diagnosis is possible only by bacteriological examination of nose and throat secretions.
The patient should be isolated until considered to be non- infectious. Erythromycin is probably the drug of choice. Contacts Infants and young children should be kept away from cases. All Rights Reserved.