Pertussis differential diagnosis
Editor-In-Chief: C. Michael Gibson, M.S., M.D. [1]; Associate Editor(s)-in-Chief: Aditya Govindavarjhulla, M.B.B.S. [2] Luke Rusowicz-Orazem, B.S.
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Overview
Pertussis is often misdiagnosed due to early-stage symptoms typically manifesting in other infectious and non infectious causes of cough, such as the Common cold. The greater duration and severity of symptoms, particularly the severely violent coughing fits, make Pertussis clinically distinct.
Differentiating Pertussis from other diseases
- Pertussis is commonly misdiagnosed due to presenting symptoms, such as cough, nasal drip, fever, and malaise that are similar to the following diseases:[1]
- Pertussis is clinically distinct from other respiratory pathogens by the length of disease and severity of cough symptoms.[1]
- Unlike the above diseases, Pertussis symptoms intensify and worsen after 1-2 weeks, with total symptomatic duration usually ranging from 6-12 weeks.
- Paroxysms of coughing followed by the eponymous "whoop" of breath intake, vomiting, and physical exhaustion after coughing are symptoms that manifest in Pertussis after 1-2 weeks and serve to differentiate it from other respiratory pathogen diseases.
- Pertussis may also be differentiated by manifesting as prevailing coughing fits with a notable absence of other symptoms (nasal drip, fever, etc.) common to similar respiratory diseases.