Pertussis in Adults
Authors: Mark S. Dworkin
Journal: Annals of Internal Medicine (1998)

Letters15 June 1998Pertussis in AdultsMark S. Dworkin, MD, MPHTM, Christopher Spitters, MD, and John M. Kobayashi, MD, MPHMark S. Dworkin, MD, MPHTMCenters for Disease Control and Prevention; Atlanta, GA 30333Snohomish Health District; Everett, WA 98201Washington State Department of Health; Seattle, WA 98155Search for more papers by this author, Christopher Spitters, MDCenters for Disease Control and Prevention; Atlanta, GA 30333Snohomish Health District; Everett, WA 98201Washington State Department of Health; Seattle, WA 98155Search for more papers by this author, and John M. Kobayashi, MD, MPHCenters for Disease Control and Prevention; Atlanta, GA 30333Snohomish Health District; Everett, WA 98201Washington State Department of Health; Seattle, WA 98155Search for more papers by this authorAuthor, Article, and Disclosure Informationhttps://doi.org/10.7326/0003-4819-128-12_Part_1-199806150-00025 SectionsAboutFull TextPDF ToolsAdd to favoritesDownload CitationsTrack CitationsPermissions ShareFacebookTwitterLinkedInRedditEmail TO THE EDITOR:Dr. Cherry's editorial [1] was a wake-up call to internists about the importance of pertussis in adults. Pertussis is “highly communicable,” and immunity from available vaccines is not long lasting [2]. Outbreaks continue to occur, consuming scarce public health resources [3]. These outbreaks may be exacerbated by physicians' delays in diagnosing the disease in adults. A recent study suggests that internists' knowledge of pertussis is incomplete [4].We investigated an outbreak of pertussis among 89 office personnel in Washington State. The index case occurred in a 31-year-old woman with paroxysms of coughing, inspiratory whoop, post-tussive vomiting, and ...References1. Cherry JD. Pertussis in adults [Editorial]. Ann Intern Med. 1998; 128:64-6. Google Scholar2. Benenson AS, ed. Control of Communicable Diseases Manual. 16th ed. Washington, DC: American Public Health Association; 1995:223-6. Google Scholar3. Dworkin MS, Alexander ER, Boase JC, et al. Pertussis: What Washington State Health Care Providers Need to Know. Olympia, WA: Washington State Department of Health; 1997. Google Scholar4. Dworkin MS, Shoemaker P. Pertussis: physician knowledge and practices [Abstract]. Proceedings of the 31st Annual National Immunization Conference, 19-22 May 1997, Detroit, Michigan. Atlanta: Centers for Disease Control and Prevention; 1997. Google Scholar Author, Article, and Disclosure InformationAffiliations: Centers for Disease Control and Prevention; Atlanta, GA 30333Snohomish Health District; Everett, WA 98201Washington State Department of Health; Seattle, WA 98155 PreviousarticleNextarticle Advertisement FiguresReferencesRelatedDetails Metrics Cited ByPertussis Infection in a Baccalaureate Nursing Program: Clinical Implications, Emerging Issues, and Recommendations 15 June 1998Volume 128, Issue 12_Part_1Page: 1047KeywordsCoughingImmunityPatientsPertussisPolymerase chain reactionPrevention, policy, and public healthQuestionnairesResearch laboratoriesVaccinesVomiting Issue Published: 15 June 1998 CopyrightCopyright © 1998 by American College of Physicians. All Rights Reserved.PDF DownloadLoading ...