When a patient presents with acute bronchitis and the clinical picture points to pertussis — whether confirmed or suspected — the presence of specific cough characteristics and epidemiological context reshapes the management approach.
Pertussis should be considered when a persistent cough is accompanied by paroxysmal coughing episodes, a characteristic whooping sound, post-tussive emesis, or a history of recent pertussis exposure. This pattern — in either confirmed or suspected pertussis — defines a distinct sub-population within acute bronchitis that warrants a specific treatment strategy.
The primary aim of treatment in this setting is eradication of Bordetella pertussis from the nasopharynx.
The evidence-based approach for this scenario involves a specific class of antibiotic therapy. The complete regimen — including drug selection, dosing, and duration — is detailed in the full structured protocol.
If pertussis is confirmed or suspected because of a persistent cough accompanied by symptoms of paroxysmal cough, whooping cough, and post-tussive emesis, or recent pertussis exposure, treatment with a macrolide is recommended.
Antibiotics can eradicate B. pertussis from the nasopharynx.
View source ↗