• GILBERT P. BAYORAN
Confirmed pertussis-related cases in Negros Occidental, including the highly-urbanized Bacolod City, have further risen to 38, of which one has died, as of May 30.
Of the total cases, 24 were recorded by the Provincial Health Office while 14 were logged by the City Health Office.
The fatality was a month-old baby admitted last month at the Corazon Locsin Montelibano Memorial Regional Hospital in Bacolod City.
The Research Institute for Tropical Medicine (RITM) reported that 83 cases turned out negative.
Some 18 others were considered as probable cases.
According to the Department of Health, pertussis starts as a mild cough and cold that lasts about two weeks and is followed by paroxysms or fits of coughing which lasts up to six weeks.
The disease is characterized by a “whooping” or high-pitched sound in between coughs, especially when inhaling, vomiting immediately after coughing, and low-grade fever.
Infants with pertussis may turn cyanotic or bluish when coughing.
Pertussis is caused by bacteria – either bordetella pertussis, or bordetella parapertussis.
Antibiotics are available and effective against them, and depending on the antibiotic used and the age and condition of the patient, treatment may run from 4 to 14 days. | GB
