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Adult pertussis in a general practice.

A A Mitchell1, K G Liddell, W Criggie

  • 1NHS Trust Carluke Lanarkshire.

Health Bulletin
|June 20, 2003
PubMed
Summary

Pertussis (whooping cough) is common in adults, with over a third of patients showing recent infection. Adults are now a key source of infection for infants.

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Area of Science:

  • Infectious Diseases
  • Immunology
  • Public Health

Background:

  • Pertussis (whooping cough) is a highly contagious respiratory illness.
  • While often considered a childhood disease, pertussis can affect individuals of all ages.
  • Adult vaccination rates and waning immunity contribute to pertussis resurgence in adult populations.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To determine the serological incidence of pertussis in adults presenting with suspected symptoms.
  • To investigate the clinical presentation and characteristics of pertussis in an adult population.

Main Methods:

  • A one-year serological study of blood samples from adults (>15 years) with suspected pertussis.
  • Data collection involved testing specimens in a District General Hospital's Microbiology Department.
  • General Practitioners provided patient information via questionnaires.

Main Results:

  • 35.7% (20/56) of tested adults showed serological evidence of recent pertussis infection.
  • The average age of infected patients was 43.5 years, with symptoms present for 4.2 weeks prior to testing.
  • Paroxysmal coughing, nocturnal coughing, and shortness of breath were more prevalent in positive cases; "whoop" and vomiting were rare.

Conclusions:

  • Pertussis is not uncommon in adults, with significant serological evidence of recent infection.
  • Adults, often with atypical symptoms, are a reservoir for pertussis and a source of infection for unvaccinated infants.
  • Declining vaccine-induced immunity in adults necessitates further public health considerations for pertussis control.

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