Whooping Prtusus
What is Pertussis?
Whooping Cough (Pertussis) is an infection of the respiratory system caused by bacterium Bordetella pertussis. It’s characterized by severe coughing spells, which can sometimes end in a “whooping” sound when the person breathes in.
How does it Affect the Body? * Whooping Cough (Pertussis) is an infection of the upper respiratory system. * prevents natural defense systems from removing germs * causes mucus accumulation * The bacterium also populates the breathing tubes in the lung, inflaming and narrowing them. * The characteristic "whoop" cough is due trying to inhale through the narrow, inflamed airways. * The inability to draw breath may cause a red- or blue-colored face and exhaustion.
Incubation Period
The incubation period (the time between infection and the onset of symptoms) for whooping cough is usually 7 to 10 days, but can be as long as 21 days.
Predominate Area of the Body
Pertussis is predominantly an upper respiratory infection.
It does What to our Cells? * Bordetella pertussis releases Pertussis Toxin. * When engulfed by a cell via endocytosis, it will escape into the cell where it will catalyze ADP-Ribosylation of G proteins that participate in G-Protein Coupled Receptors. * This, in effect, inhibits signalling in the cells
Vectors * There is no vector. * Transmission is only human to human. * Pertussis is spread from person to person through the inhalation of aerosol droplets of infected nasal and throat discharges released during coughing and sneezing.
Symptoms * The first symptoms of pertussis are similar to a cold: sneezing, a runny nose, possibly a low-grade fever, and a cough. After one or two weeks, the cough becomes severe as noted by the following: * The cough occurs in sudden, uncontrollable bursts where one cough follows the next without a break for breath. * Many children will make a high-pitched
Whooping Cough (Pertussis) is an infection of the respiratory system caused by bacterium Bordetella pertussis. It’s characterized by severe coughing spells, which can sometimes end in a “whooping” sound when the person breathes in.
How does it Affect the Body? * Whooping Cough (Pertussis) is an infection of the upper respiratory system. * prevents natural defense systems from removing germs * causes mucus accumulation * The bacterium also populates the breathing tubes in the lung, inflaming and narrowing them. * The characteristic "whoop" cough is due trying to inhale through the narrow, inflamed airways. * The inability to draw breath may cause a red- or blue-colored face and exhaustion.
Incubation Period
The incubation period (the time between infection and the onset of symptoms) for whooping cough is usually 7 to 10 days, but can be as long as 21 days.
Predominate Area of the Body
Pertussis is predominantly an upper respiratory infection.
It does What to our Cells? * Bordetella pertussis releases Pertussis Toxin. * When engulfed by a cell via endocytosis, it will escape into the cell where it will catalyze ADP-Ribosylation of G proteins that participate in G-Protein Coupled Receptors. * This, in effect, inhibits signalling in the cells
Vectors * There is no vector. * Transmission is only human to human. * Pertussis is spread from person to person through the inhalation of aerosol droplets of infected nasal and throat discharges released during coughing and sneezing.
Symptoms * The first symptoms of pertussis are similar to a cold: sneezing, a runny nose, possibly a low-grade fever, and a cough. After one or two weeks, the cough becomes severe as noted by the following: * The cough occurs in sudden, uncontrollable bursts where one cough follows the next without a break for breath. * Many children will make a high-pitched