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Preventing the Spread of Pertussis in Pediatric Healthcare Settings
Tirza A Calderón1, Susan E Coffin2, Julia S Sammons2
1Perelman School of Medicine at the University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia;
Insights
Rising pertussis (whooping cough) cases highlight the need for better prevention in pediatric settings. Healthcare personnel are key to stopping transmission and protecting vulnerable infants and children.
Area of Science:
- Infectious Diseases
- Pediatric Healthcare
- Public Health
Background:
- Pertussis incidence is increasing, posing a significant risk in pediatric healthcare settings.
- Adolescents and adults with waning immunity are common sources of pertussis for infants and children.
- Outbreaks in healthcare facilities can lead to severe complications in vulnerable populations and incur high control costs.
Purpose of the Study:
- To review strategies for preventing pertussis transmission in pediatric healthcare settings.
- To emphasize the role of healthcare personnel in mitigating pertussis outbreaks.
- To highlight the need for early disease recognition, improved diagnostics, and effective post-exposure measures.
Main Methods:
- Comprehensive literature review on pertussis transmission in healthcare settings.
- Analysis of outbreak sources, including healthcare personnel, visitors, and parents.
- Evaluation of current prevention and control strategies.
Main Results:
- Pediatric healthcare settings are at risk for pertussis transmission due to vulnerable patient populations.
- Healthcare personnel, visitors, and parents are identified as significant sources of pertussis outbreaks.
- Effective prevention requires coordinated efforts in early recognition, diagnostics, contact tracing, and prophylaxis.
Conclusions:
- Healthcare-associated pertussis is a serious concern requiring focused prevention strategies.
- Healthcare personnel are crucial in preventing and controlling pertussis within pediatric facilities.
- Enhanced vigilance and intervention are necessary to protect infants and children from pertussis.
Abstract:
The surge in pertussis incidence in recent years underscores a critical need for effective plans to prevent transmission in pediatric healthcare settings. Adolescents and adults are common sources of infection for unimmunized or incompletely immunized infants and children with waning immunity. Despite documented outbreaks being limited in size, pertussis poses a threat to pediatric healthcare facilities due to the risk for widespread transmission, potentially severe complications among vulnerable patient populations, and high outbreak control-related costs. Healthcare personnel, visitors, and parents have been identified as sources of outbreaks, underscoring the importance of coordinated efforts to prevent transmission in these settings. This comprehensive review demonstrates that the risk of pertussis transmission in pediatric healthcare settings warrants heightened focus on strategies to recognize disease earlier, improve diagnostic evaluation, and facilitate effective contact tracing and post-exposure prophylaxis measures. This review suggests that healthcare personnel can play a significant role in the prevention of healthcare-associated pertussis.
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