BMJ  2006;333 (22 July), doi:10.1136/bmj.333.7560.0-a

Consider whooping cough even if a child has been immunised

A substantial proportion of immunised children of school age who present to primary care with a persistent cough may have had a recent infection with Bordetella pertussis. Harnden and colleagues (p 174) recruited 179 children aged 5 to 16 years (from 18 UK general practices) who had been coughing for two weeks or more. Serological evidence of a recent Bordetella pertussis infection was found in 37% of the children, and 86% of these children had been fully immunised. Making a secure diagnosis of whooping cough may reassure the parents and prevent inappropriate investigations and treatment, conclude the authors.

Credit: A B DOWSETT/SPL

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Whooping cough in school age children with persistent cough: prospective cohort study in primary care

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