A 6-month-old is being evaluated in the emergency department. The child appears cyanotic, has
Explanation
• Pertussis or "whooping cough" is a highly contagious bacterial infection. It causes severe coughing fits (a "whooping"
• Pertussis can be prevented with the DTaP, a vaccine for tetanus, diphtheria, and pertussis. If a patient already has pertussis, it is treated with antibiotic therapy.
Incorrect:
• Mycoplasma pneumonia, Rocky Mountain spotted fever, and Rickettsia do not cause a whooping cough.