Pathophysiology of pertussis

Pertussis :
-Commonly known as whooping cough.
-Respiratory tract infection
-Characterized by paroxysmal cough
-Caused by the bacterium Bordetella pertussis
-Typically attacks children
-3 stages :
*Catarrhal
*Paroxysmal
*convalescent

Pathophysiology :
-Bordetella pertussis attaches to and multiplies on the respiratory epithelium.
*damages ciliated respiratory epithelium.
-starting in the nasopharynx and ending primarily in the bronchi and bronchioles
-Cilia attacked by bacteria
*Accumulate debris in the respiratory tract
*Mucus production
~Body can’t get rid of the mucus in the airways
*Coughing
*Inhalation comes with a whistling or whooping sound
~Breathing difficulty.

Whistling/whooping sound :
-Narrowing of the lower respiratory tract
*Caused by mucus
-air moves through the narrowed space, it sounds like whistling or whoosing.
-often comes from the small breathing tubes (bronchial tubes) deep in the chest