South Dakota has a low incidence of pertussis, but we may not be detecting all of the cases. Whooping cough or pertussis, is a highly communicable, acute infectious disease caused by the Gram negative coccobacillus Bordetella pertussis. The bacteria attach to the respiratory cilia, produce several toxins that paralyze the cilia, destroy mucosa, and cause inflammation of the respiratory tract, thus interfering with the clearing of pulmonary secretions, and potentially causing pneumonia. Pertussis is transmitted directly by human respiratory droplets. The catarrhal phase is characterized by a runny nose, sneezing, low-grade fever, malaise, and a progressively worsening cough.
Patients are most contagious during the early catarrhal stage.
Within 1-2 weeks the cough becomes more severe progressing the to the paroxysmal state . Patients average 15 attacks per 24-hour period. During coughing spells the patient may turn blue, followed by vomiting and exhaustion. Lymphocytosis is usually present. Between attacks the patient usually appears normal.