Pertussis
What Went Wrong?
Pertussis in a bacterial infection caused typically by Bordetella pertussisbut
can also be caused by B. parapertussisorB. bronchisepticathat causes an
upper respiratory tract infection resulting in an irritating cough that ends in
high-pitched inspiratory whoop, which is why pertussis is commonly referred
to as whooping cough. Pertussis occurs because the patient was in contact
with contaminated respiratory droplets or in contact with items that become
contaminated by respiratory droplets. Once exposed, the bacteria incubate for
3 to 12 days before symptoms appear. Children should be vaccinated (DTaP)
against pertussis beginning at 2 months of age.Nursing alert The patient is contagious from a week after exposure to the bacteria
through the first 7 days of antibiotic therapy.(^308) Pediatric Nursing Demystified
- The mother of a child recently diagnosed with Haemophilus influenzaetype B
looked up this disorder on the Internet and learned that her other child also has
theCoccobacillus H. influenza bacteria. She is concerned. What is your best
response?
a. All of us have bacteria in our bodies called flora. Flora isn’t harmful and is sometimes
helpful. The bacteria that caused your child’s infection are flora; however, your
child’s recent viral infection weakened your child’s immune system enabling these
bacteria to cause the infection.
b. All of us have bacteria in our bodies called flora. Flora isn’t harmful and is sometimes
helpful. The bacteria that caused your child’s infection are flora; however, your
child’s recent viral infection weakened your child’s immune system enabling these
bacteria to cause the infection. Your other child didn’t come down with the viral
infection and therefore won’t get this bacterial infection.
c. All of us have bacteria in our bodies called flora. Flora isn’t harmful and is sometimes
helpful. The bacteria that caused your child’s infection are flora; however, your
child’s recent bacterial infection weakened your child’s immune system enabling
these bacteria to cause the infection. Your other child didn’t come down with the
viral infection and therefore didn’t get this bacterial infection; however, you should
talk to your health-care provider to determine if your child should be vaccinated
against these bacteria.
Answer: