Pertussis is an acute respiratory infection caused by the bacterium Bordetella pertussis, which is highly contagious. The incubation period of pertussis is 7-14 days, with a maximum of 21 days. The typical patient has a full course of 6-8 weeks and is divided into 3 phases.
1. Catarrhal phase: 1~2 weeks, manifesting as upper sensory symptoms such as runny nose, cough and low fever. The cough gradually worsens and enters the spasmodic cough phase.
2. Spasmodic cough phase: 2~4 weeks, this phase is highlighted by paroxysmal spasmodic cough. Each cough is a dozen to dozens of times until the child coughs up mucousy sputum or spits out the stomach contents; this is followed by a deep and long inspiratory roar like a chicken. In spasmodic cough, the child’s eyes are open, the face is red and blue, the elbow is bent and the fist is clenched, the tongue extends outward, the jugular vein is angered, and the torso is bent into a mass. When the tongue extends and rubs against the lower incisors during spasms, the tongue ligament may become ulcerated. When the child coughs for a long time, the head and neck veins are blocked due to the increased pressure in the chest cavity, resulting in facial eyelid edema and subconjunctival hemorrhage. With repeated episodes of spasmodic cough, the child is prone to lethargy, loss of appetite, and frequent vomiting, which can easily cause malnutrition. Newborns and small infants may not have typical spasmodic cough, and often cough a few times and then appear to hold their breath, cyanosis, asphyxia, and even convulsions or cardiac arrest.
3.Recovery period: 1-2 weeks, the paroxysmal coughing episodes are reduced, the degree is reduced and gradually cured, but when stimulated by smoke, cold air, etc. or upper sensation, pertussis-like paroxysmal coughing may appear again.