Related Experiment Videos
Morbidity of pertussis in adolescents and adults
G De Serres1, R Shadmani, B Duval
1Centre de Santé Publique de Québec, Beauport, Quebec, G1E 7G9 Canada. gdeserres@cspq.qc.ca
Insights
Pertussis (whooping cough) presents differently in adults and adolescents, with older individuals experiencing more complications like pneumonia and urinary incontinence. Smoking and asthma also worsen pertussis symptoms and duration.
Area of Science:
- Infectious Diseases
- Epidemiology
- Public Health
Background:
- Pertussis, commonly known as whooping cough, remains a significant public health concern.
- Understanding age-related clinical presentations and risk factors is crucial for effective management.
- Previous studies have focused less on the nuances of pertussis in adolescent and adult populations.
Purpose of the Study:
- To evaluate the impact of age on the clinical manifestation of pertussis in adolescents and adults.
- To identify specific complications and risk factors associated with pertussis in different age groups.
- To determine the sources of infection and secondary attack rates within households and specific professions.
Main Methods:
- Retrospective analysis of 664 adolescent and adult pertussis cases.
- Data collection on clinical presentation, complications, and demographic factors.
- Assessment of risk factors including age, smoking, and asthma, as well as infection sources and secondary attack rates.
Main Results:
- Adults experienced more frequent complications (28%) than adolescents (16%), including pneumonia (5-9% in older adults vs. 2% in younger patients) and urinary incontinence (34% in women ≥50 years).
- Smoking and asthma were associated with prolonged cough, increased sinusitis risk, and disturbed sleep.
- Secondary attack rate in household members ≥12 years was 11%; infection sources varied by age (schoolmates for adolescents, workplace/children for adults).
- Teachers and healthcare workers showed higher pertussis risk.
Conclusions:
- Pertussis burden increases with age, smoking, and asthma, necessitating tailored prevention and treatment strategies.
- Clinical presentation and complication risks differ significantly between adolescent and adult pertussis cases.
- Occupational groups like teachers and healthcare workers require specific attention for pertussis prevention.
Abstract:
The effect of age on the clinical presentation of pertussis was assessed in 664 adolescent and adult cases. Complications were more frequent in adults than in adolescents (28% vs. 16%). Pneumonia occurred in 2% of patients <30 years old but in 5%-9% of older patients. Urinary incontinence occurred in 34% of women >/=50 years old. Duration of cough, risk of sinusitis, and number of nights with disturbed sleep increased with smoking and asthma. The secondary attack rate in other household members >/=12 years was 11%. Pertussis in secondary case patients was less severe than in index case patients but presented with classic symptoms. The main source of infection in adolescents was schoolmates or friends; in adults it was workplace or their children. Teachers and health care workers had a greater risk of pertussis than did the general population. The burden of disease appears to increase with age, with smoking, and with asthma.