Pertussis is a highly contagious bacterial disease that causes uncontrollable, violent coughing. The coughing can make it hard to breathe. A deep "whooping" sound is often heard when the patient tries to take a breath.
Pertussis, or whooping cough, is an upper respiratory infection caused by the Bordetella pertussis or Bordetella parapertussisbacteria. It is a serious disease that can cause permanent disability in infants, and even death.
When an infected person sneezes or coughs, tiny droplets containing the bacteria move through the air, and the disease is easily spread from person to person. Initial symptoms, similar to the common cold, usually develop about a week after exposure to the bacteria. Severe episodes of coughing start about 10 to 12 days later. In children, the coughing often ends with a "whoop" noise. The sound is produced when the patient tries to take a breath. The whoop is rare in patients under 6 months of age and in adults. Coughing spells may lead to vomiting. Pertussis should always be considered when vomiting occurs with coughing. In infants, choking spells are common.
Ear infection - acute (5 images)(Doctor-Reviewed information)
While there are different types of ear infections, the most common is called otitis media, which means an inflammation and infection of the middle ear. The middle ear is located just behind the eardrum.The term"acute" refers to a short and painful...Reviewer: Mark Levin, MD, Division of Infectious Disease, MacNeal Hospital, Berwyn, IL. Review provided by VeriMed Healthcare Network. Also reviewed by David Zieve, MD, MHA, Medical Director, A.D.A.M., Inc. Date: 04/25/2008
Sinusitis (2 images)(Doctor-Reviewed information)
Sinusitis refers to inflammation of the sinuses that occurs with a viral, bacterial, or fungal infection.Acute sinusitis; Sinus infection; Sinusitis- acute; Sinusitis- chronic; Rhinosinusitis.The sinuses are air-filled spaces in the skull(behind t...Reviewer: Alan Lipkin, MD, Otolaryngologist, Private Practice, Denver, Colorado. Review provided by VeriMed Healthcare Network. Also reviewed by David Zieve, MD, MHA, Medical Director, A.D.A.M., Inc.Date: 04/21/2009
Urinary tract infection - adults (5 images)(Doctor-Reviewed information)
A urinary tract infection, or UTI, is an infection that can happen anywhere along the urinary tract. The urinary tract includes the:.Bladder Kidneys Ureters-- the tubes that take urine from each kidney to the bladder Urethra-- the tube that emptie...Reviewer: Louis S. Liou, MD, PhD, Assistant Professor of Urology, Department of Surgery, Boston University School of Medicine. Also reviewed by David Zieve, MD, MHA, Medical Director, A.D.A.M., Inc. Date: 10/02/2008
Chickenpox (5 images)(Doctor-Reviewed information)
Chickenpox is one of the classic childhood diseases, and one of the most contagious. The affected child or adult may develop hundreds of itchy, fluid-filled blisters that burst and form crusts. Reviewer: Daniel Rauch, M.D., FAAP., Director, Pediatric Hospitalist Program, New York University School of Medicine, New York, NY. Review provided by VeriMed Healthcare Network.Date: 07/26/2007
Genital herpes (1 image)(Doctor-Reviewed information)
Genital herpes is a sexually transmitted viral infection affecting the skin of the genitals.Herpes- genital; Herpes simplex- genital; Herpesvirus 2; HSV-2.Herpes simplex virus type 1(HSV-1) Herpes simplex virus type 2(HSV-2).HSV-1, the virus respo...Reviewer: David Zieve, MD, MHA, Greg Juhn, MTPW, David R. Eltz, Kelli A. Stacy, ELS. Previously reviewed by Kenneth M. Wener, MD, Department of Infectious Diseases, Lahey Clinic, Burlington, MA. Review provided by VeriMed Healthcare Network (11/1/2007).Date: 04/07/2008
Avian influenza(Doctor-Reviewed information)
Avian influenza is flu infection in birds. The disease is of concern to humans, who have no immunity against it. Reviewer: Linda Vorvick, MD, Family Physician, Seattle Site Coordinator, Lecturer, Pathophysiology, MEDEX Northwest Division of Physician Assistant Studies, University of Washington School of Medicine; and David C. Dugdale, III, MD, Professor of Medicine, Division of General Medicine, Department of Medicine, University of Washington School of Medicine. Also reviewed by David Zieve, MD, MHA, Medical Director, A.D.A.M., Inc. Date: 03/06/2009
Otitis media with effusion (2 images)(Doctor-Reviewed information)
Otitis media with effusion(OME) is fluid in the middle ear space without symptoms of an acute ear infection. Unlike children with an acute ear infection, children with OME do not act sick.Almost every acute ear infection is followed by days or wee...Reviewer: Daniel Rauch, MD, FAAP, Director, Pediatric Hospitalist Program, Associate Professor of Pediatrics, NYU School of Medicine, New York, NY. Review provided by VeriMed Healthcare Network. Also reviewed by David Zieve, MD, MHA, Medical Director, A.D.A.M., Inc. Date: 03/02/2009
Mononucleosis (11 images)(Doctor-Reviewed information)
Mononucleosis is a viral infection causing fever, sore throat, and swollen lymph glands, especially in the neck.See also: Infectious mononucleosis(acute CMV infection).Mononucleosis, or mono, is often spread by saliva and close contact. It is know...Reviewer: D. Scott Smith, M.D., MSc, DTM&H, Chief of Infectious Disease & Geographic Medicine, Kaiser Redwood City, CA & Adjunct Assistant Professor, Stanford University. Review provided by VeriMed Healthcare Network. Also reviewed by David Zieve, MD, MHA, Medical Director, A.D.A.M., Inc.Date: 09/03/2008
Viral pneumonia (2 images)(Doctor-Reviewed information)
Viral pneumonia is an inflammation(irritation and swelling) of the lungs caused by infection with a virus.Reviewer: Benjamin Medoff, MD, Assistant Professor of Medicine, Harvard Medical School, Pulmonary and Critical Care Unit, Massachusetts General Hospital. Also reviewed by David Zieve, MD, MHA, Medical Director, A.D.A.M., Inc.Date: 09/24/2008
Bronchiolitis (2 images)(Doctor-Reviewed information)
Bronchiolitis is an inflammation of the small passages in the lungs(bronchioles), usually caused by a viral infection.Bronchiolitis usually affects children under the age of 2, with a peak age of 3 to 6 months. It is a common, sometimes severe ill...Reviewer: Rachel A. Lewis, M.D., F.A.A.P., Columbia University Pediatric Faculty Practice, New York, NY. Review provided by VeriMed Healthcare Network.Date: 11/12/2007
Respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) (1 image)(Doctor-Reviewed information)
Respiratory syncytial virus(RSV) is a very common virus that leads to mild, cold-like symptoms in adults and older healthy children. It can be more serious in young babies, especially to those in certain high-risk groups.RSV is the most common ger...Reviewer: Neil K. Kaneshiro, MD, MHA, Clinical Assistant Professor of Pediatrics, University of Washington School of Medicine. Also reviewed by David Zieve, MD, MHA, Medical Director, A.D.A.M., Inc. Date: 03/14/2009
Acute cytomegalovirus (CMV) infection (7 images)(Doctor-Reviewed information)
Acute cytomegalovirus(CMV) infection is a condition caused by a member of the herpesvirus family.Reviewer: David C. Dugdale, III, MD, Professor of Medicine, Division of General Medicine, Department of Medicine. University of Washington School of Medicine; and Jatin M. Vyas, PhD, MD, Instructor in Medicine, Harvard Medical School, Assistant in Medicine, Division of Infectious Disease, Massachusetts General Hospital. Also reviewed by David Zieve, MD, MHA, Medical Director, A.D.A.M., Inc.Date: 09/17/2008
Viral gastroenteritis (2 images)(Doctor-Reviewed information)
Viral gastroenteritis is inflammation of the stomach and intestines caused by a virus. The infection can lead to diarrhea and vomiting. Reviewer: David C. Dugdale, III, MD, Professor of Medicine, Division of General Medicine, Department of Medicine, University of Washington School of Medicine; George F. Longstreth, MD, Department of Gastroenterology, Kaiser Permanente Medical Care Program, San Diego, CA. Also reviewed by David Zieve, MD, MHA, Medical Director, A.D.A.M., Inc.Date: 12/19/2008
Routine sputum culture (1 image)(Doctor-Reviewed information)
Routine sputum culture is a test of secretions from the lungs and bronchi(tubes that carry air to the lung) to look for bacteria that cause infection.You will cough deeply and spit any sputum into a sterile cup. The sputum is then taken to the lab...Reviewer: Arnold L. Lentnek, M.D., Division of Infectious Disease, Kennestone Hospital, Marietta. Review provided by VeriMed Healthcare Network.Date: 11/12/2007
Salivary gland infections (1 image)(Doctor-Reviewed information)
Salivary gland infections are viral or bacterial infections of the saliva-producing glands.The two largest are the parotid glands, one in each cheek over the jaw in front of the ears. Inflammation of one or more of these glands is called parotitis...Reviewer: James L. Demetroulakos, MD, FACS, Department of Otolaryngology, North Shore Medical Center, Salem, MA. Clinical Instructor in Otology and Laryngology, Harvard Medical School. Review provided by VeriMed Healthcare Network. Also reviewed by David Zieve, MD, MHA, Medical Director, A.D.A.M., Inc.Date: 03/03/2009
ECHO virus (2 images)(Doctor-Reviewed information)
Enteric cytopathic human orphan(ECHO) viruses are a group of viruses that usually take the form of gastrointestinal infection and skin rashes.Reviewer: Linda Vorvick, MD, Seattle Site Coordinator, Lecturer, Pathophysiology, MEDEX Northwest Division of Physician Assistant Studies, University of Washington School of Medicine; and Jatin M. Vyas, PhD, MD, Instructor in Medicine, Harvard Medical School, Assistant in Medicine, Division of Infectious Disease, Massachusetts General Hospital. Also reviewed by David Zieve, MD, MHA, Medical Director, A.D.A.M., Inc.Date: 09/28/2008
Traveler's guide to avoiding infectious diseases (2 images)(Doctor-Reviewed information)
You may need a series of pre-travel vaccinations. Some vaccines need time to become effective.Depending on the destination, updating or"boosting" routine vaccinations is sometimes recommended. Reviewer: David C. Dugdale, III, MD, Professor of Medicine, DIvision of General Medicine, Department of Medicine, University of Washington School of Medicine; and George F. Longstreth, MD, Department of Gastroenterology, Kaiser Permanente Medical Care Program, San Diego, California. Also reviewed by David Zieve, MD, MHA, Medical Director, A.D.A.M., Inc.Date: 03/05/2009
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