Khái niệm chung
Pertussis, also known as whooping cough, is a life-threatening infection in vulnerable people. Symptoms are similar to a cold with tiredness and fever, but also a persistent cough. The "whoop" is the sound made when the patient has extreme difficulty in breathing. It is easily spread when a contagious person coughs bacteria into the air which is breathed in by nearby people. Older children and adults can then pass it on to vulnerable people such as young babies, the elderly, people with weakened immune systems, or with underlying heart or lung conditions.
Pertussis is a notifiable condition, meaning that health professionals must notify the public health unit of any positive cases to stop further spread.
Pertussis infection can be treated with anitibiotics but vaccination is the best protection from infection.