Whooping Cough: Bordetella parapertussis, Bordetella pertussis

Whooping Cough (Pertussis) is an acute infectious disease caused by the Gram-negative bacterium Bordetella pertussis. Whooping cough caused by B. parapertussis manifests with symptoms similar to those of the disease caused by B. pertussis, but it is generally less severe.

Infection occurs through direct contact with respiratory secretions from an infected person via airborne droplets. Whooping cough is among the most contagious infectious diseases. The incubation period averages 7-10 days. The clinical course of whooping cough can be divided into several stages:

• Catarrhal phase lasting 1-2 weeks, with symptoms of upper respiratory tract inflammation, conjunctivitis, mild dry cough, and a slight increase in body temperature;
• Paroxysmal cough phase lasting from 4 to 10 weeks, characterized by typical whooping cough with violent fits of coughing, often leading to vomiting and sometimes apnea;
• Convalescent phase lasting 1-2 weeks, marked by a gradual reduction in the severity and frequency of coughing fits.

The symptoms described above are typical for infants and young children. However, in older children and adults, the disease is much less symptomatic and often limited to persistent coughing. In these age groups, the characteristic whooping cough “whoop” or apnea is typically not observed.

Who is at Risk of Whooping Cough Infection:

Before the development of the vaccine, whooping cough was considered a childhood disease. Now, whooping cough primarily affects children too young to have completed the full vaccination schedule, as well as teenagers and adults whose immunity has waned.

Why Testing is Important:

• The consequences of whooping cough can include numerous complications, such as middle ear infections, pneumonia, pleural empyema, bronchiectasis, emphysema or atelectasis, and even encephalopathy. Due to hypoxia, there can be bleeding into the central nervous system, seizures, and permanent brain damage;
• An accurate diagnosis offers the chance for effective treatment and the avoidance of complications;
• Results are available within 2-3 working days.

Preparation for Testing:

The test material is a nasopharyngeal swab, so there is no need to abstain from eating on the day of the test.

On the day of the test, do not use nasal steroid preparations or other nasal medications that could interfere with the test.

It is recommended to wait 5-7 days after the completion of antibiotic therapy before undergoing a follow-up test to ensure accurate results. Antibiotics can affect the presence of Bordetella pertussis bacteria in the body, potentially leading to a false negative result for the whooping cough test. The appropriate waiting period allows for the elimination of the antibiotic from the body and increases the likelihood of obtaining reliable test results. This is particularly important for monitoring the effectiveness of treatment and preventing further spread of the infection.

If you would like more information about the whooping cough test and its cost, please contact us. Our specialists will answer all your questions regarding the whooping cough test process and propose a solution tailored to your needs at an attractive price.

Method:

Real-Time PCR

High sensitivity testing

Sample Required for Testing:

Nasopharyngeal swab or throat swab

Instructions for sampling are included in the package.

Material Collection in Warsaw:

To arrange a pickup time for your shipment by a driver in Warsaw, please contact a BORLAMED employee by email or phone.

A laboratory employee will schedule a visit by our driver at the chosen time.

The material collection is free of charge.

You can also personally deliver the material for testing during the laboratory's working hours (Mon - Fri 9:00 AM - 5:00 PM).

Material Collection:

Schedule a pickup time for your shipment via courier or parcel locker – to do so, please contact a BORLAMED employee by email or phone. The laboratory employee will arrange for a courier or parcel locker and ask you to print the shipping label, which will be sent to your email address.

The material collection is free of charge.