The Institute for Healthcare Improvement (IHI), an independent not-for-profit organization based in Boston, Massachusetts, is a leading innovator, convener, partner, and driver of results in health and health care improvement worldwide. At our core, we believe everyone should get the best care and health possible. This passionate belief fuels our mission to improve health and health care.
Episodes
Wednesday Aug 08, 2018
Wednesday Aug 08, 2018
October 2010 Author in the Room® Teleconference
Author: Ralph Gonzales, MD, MSPH
Article: "Does This Coughing Adolescent or Adult Patient Have Pertussis?"
Summary Points:
-
When evaluating adolescents and adults with persistent cough illness, the presence of classic symptoms of pertussis (paroxysmal cough, whooping cough, post-tussive emesis) modestly increase the likelihood of pertussis, and their absence modestly decreases the likelihood of pertussis; but they are not strong enough to rule-in or rule-out disease.
-
Most patients in whom pertussis is suspected will not derive symptomatic benefit from antibiotic treatment because their illness duration is usually >10 days.
-
Vigilant testing and treatment should be provided to adolescents and adults who have been exposed to a known case of pertussis, or have contact with individuals at high risk for serious complications of pertussis (i.e., child care providers and teachers, health care workers, and patients who live or work with infants <6 months of age; unvaccinated children; or immunosuppressed individuals).
Comments (0)
To leave or reply to comments, please download free Podbean or
No Comments
To leave or reply to comments,
please download free Podbean App.