Abstract

The term Pertussis which is known as whooping cough or ‘100 day cough’ literally translates into violent cough. This disease was first elaborated in the epidemic of Paris in the year 1578. The organism Bordetella pertussis was described first in 1906 and the vaccine was first developed in 1940s. The disease was a major contributor to mortality and morbidity in infants. The disease spreads easily by aerosols. It affects all household contacts who have not been immunized. The disease inhabits ciliated cells of lower respiratory tract and induced inflammatory changes. These inturn release toxins namely pertussis toxin, dermonecrotic toxin, adenylate cyclase toxin, and tracheal cytotoxin which may act at site of invasion and also produce systemic effects. Strangely the organism per se doesn’t invade the cells completely nor does it show in blood cultures. As the disease is of high severity, the prevention of pertussis has been considered an important public health issue for many years. Over the years the classical presentation of whooping cough has become uncommon, hence the diagnosis of pertussis has become difficult. Atypical clinical picture with nonspecific investigatory findings make this even more difficult. The key to managing pertussis lies in early detection and prompt treatment. This study aims to study an overall picture of Pertussis including the epidemiology pathogenesis clinical picture and treatment. It also aims to put light over outbreak control, immunity as a result of vaccination and disease exposure and future directives.

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