Parapertussis is a respiratory disease caused by the bacterium Bordetella parapertussis. It causes bronchial constriction and a chronic cough. Antibiotics are used to treat it, and it can be diagnosed through blood tests and nasal cultures. It is contagious and can lead to serious complications if left untreated. Treatment involves antibiotics and hospitalization in severe cases.
Parapertussis is a mild respiratory disease caused by exposure to the bacterium Bordetella parapertussis (B. parapertussis). The bronchial constriction associated with this bacterial disease often causes the individual to make a distinct sound when coughing. It is from this physiological response that the disease’s common nickname pertussis is derived. Antibiotics are usually given to treat parapertussis infection. Prompt and appropriate treatment is required to prevent complications, including death.
Diagnosing this form of whooping cough is often a process of elimination. The symptoms of parapertussis closely resemble those of whooping cough, a more severe form of whooping cough, so laboratory tests are usually needed. Blood tests and nasal cultures are usually done to identify markers consistent with infection and the presence of B. parapertussis. It is possible to receive a dual diagnosis of parapertussis and whooping cough.
Exposure to the B. parapertussis bacterium usually occurs when you inhale harmful particles expelled in the cough of an infected person. By settling in the lungs, the bacteria thrive, causing bronchial inflammation and mucus buildup. In an attempt to clear the narrowed airways of excess mucus, the individual produces the characteristic chronic cough. Individuals with bacterial whooping cough are generally considered contagious until they have received appropriate treatment.
The incubation period for whooping cough, from the time of exposure to the onset of symptoms, can be up to three weeks. Some people can get whooping cough and remain asymptomatic, meaning they don’t show any signs or symptoms of the disease. Early signs and symptoms may resemble the common cold, particularly a persistent cough, congestion, and sneezing. As the airway constriction and mucus buildup worsen, the individual may pass phlegm and make the characteristic “scream” sound. Shortly after a coughing “attack” it is not uncommon for some individuals to become physically ill.
Significant coughing fits that cause straining can compromise blood vessel health and contribute to abdominal discomfort. Excessive mucus buildup can also increase the risk of pneumonia and other serious complications. Infection that remains untreated can result in encephalitis, which is inflammation of the brain that can lead to permanent brain damage.
Individuals with whooping cough are typically given antibiotic medications that must be taken as directed and in its entirety to prevent reinfection. Depending on the severity of the disease, hospitalization may be required. Individuals with compromised immunity and young children may have pronounced symptoms that trigger complications, including dehydration, that require more extensive treatment. Those who live in the same household as an infected individual may be placed on an antibiotic as a precaution.
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