Browsing by Author "Couto, Celina"
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- Classic pertussis infection in a two-year-old child with complete primary immunizationGaspar, Mariana; Sutre, Filipe; Couto, Celina; Gavino, Alexandra; Vilarinho, Filipa; Lopes, AldinaPertussis infection, or "whooping cough," is a highly contagious but vaccine-preventable respiratory disease caused by Bordetella pertus-sis. It can affect people of all ages, but is usually more severe in young infants. Despite high vaccination coverage worldwide, this infection remains a problem. Pertussis infection is spread by aerosolized droplets and the clinical presentation can vary with age and immunity. The classic presentation includes cough paroxysms, inspiratory whoop, and post-tussive vomiting. Laboratory confirmation is not necessary for diagnosis and should not delay treatment.The authors present the case of a healthy two-year-old girl with a one-month history of dry paroxysmal cough with inspiratory whoop who was admitted to the Emergency Department for loss of consciousness during a coughing episode.This case is intended to raise awareness of severe, life-threatening pertussis infection in children with complete primary immunization who present with respiratory symptoms consistent with this infection.