Pertussis

Beau Bergene & Amanda Miller ok, i think we're done...we have to rehearse it and it has to last 3-5 minutes...

What is Pertussis?

 * ==== a highly contagious bacterial disease that causes uncomfortable, violent coughing ====
 * ==== can make it hard to breathe ====

__Causes__
====Perussis can affect people at any age. when someone sneezes or coughs it can affect other people. this disease is caused by a type of bacteria called //Bordetella pertussis.// The bacteria attachs to the cilia that lines part of the upper respiratory system====

__Risk Factors__
==== This disease can cause permanent disability in infants, or even death. The infection usually last for up to 6 weeks before anything major happens. before vaccines, infection was most common in infants and children, but is now seen more in adults. Today, it can affect people of any age and this disease is easily spread from person to person and highly contagious. ==== __Symptoms__ ==== the symptoms are similar to the common cold. severe coughing starts about 10-12 days later and the coughing may lead to vomiting or short loss of consciousness. runny noses, slight fever, and diarrhea are other severs symptomsto watch for. ====

__Treatment__
==== if it'd not treated right away for children, it may turn to pneumonia. if treated early enough, antibiotics like //erythromycin// can make the symptoms go away quickly, but if patients are to late for antibiotics, they can take medicine to keep the disease from spreading to other people. Pertussis is a violent cough so drinking fluids may be difficult if you are diagnosed. So, fluids may be given through a vein if coughing is to severe for the patient to drink fluids. infants younger than 18 months need constant supervision because the coughing may cause their breathing to stop. Older children between 12-18 have a better chance of surviving the cough were infants are more proned to a severe case or even death. ====

There are many complications of getting whooping cough. The follow are the most commonly seen with this disease;

 * ==== pneumonia ====
 * ==== convulsions ====
 * ==== seizure disorder (permanent) ====
 * ==== nose bleeds ====
 * ==== ear infections ====
 * ==== bleeding in the brain (cerebral hemorrhage) ====
 * ==== brain damage from lack of oxygen ====
 * ==== mental retardation ====
 * ==== slowed or stopped breathing (apnea) ====
 * ==== death ====

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