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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
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.
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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