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医学英语阅读10：百日咳
pertussis
alternative names
whooping cough
definition
pertussis is ahould always be considered when vomiting occurs with coughing. in infants, choking spells are common.
recovery begins about four weeks after symptoms begin and may take several weeks. coughing spasms may return over the next several months, usually due to irritation from an upper respiratory infection.
immunization may reduce the symptoms of pertussis in those cases where it does not produce complete immunity. however, when the symptoms are not obvious, pertussis may be difficult to diagnose.
symptoms
· runny nose
· severe cough —— may be dry or may produce sputum
· slight fever (102°f or lower)
· severe coughing attacks may:
o involve difficulty breathing
o result in vomiting o end in a highpitched, crowing sound when inhaling, or end in a highpitched "whoop"
o end in a momentary loss of consciousness
· diarrhea
· choking spells in infants
· choking when emotional
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signs and tests
the initial diagnosis is usually based on the symptoms. to know for sure, the health care provider may take a swab of nasal secretions, grow a culture for a week or more, and then test for pertussis. this can be an accurate way of confirming a pertussis diagnosis, but the results are obtained after treatment has probably be