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Tos ferina - Overview

Nombres alternativos

Tos convulsiva

Definición:

Es una enfermedad bacteriana altamente contagiosa que ocasiona una tos violenta e incontrolable que puede dificultar la respiración. A menudo se escucha un "estertor" profundo cuando el paciente trata de tomar aire.

Causas:

La tos ferina o tos convulsiva es una infección de las vías respiratoria altas, causada por las bacterias Bordetella pertussis o Bordetella parapertussis. Es una enfermedad grave que puede causar discapacidad permanente en los bebés e incluso la muerte.

Cuando una persona infectada estornuda o tose, pequeñas gotitas que contienen la bacteria se mueven a través del aire, y la enfermedad se disemina fácilmente de persona a persona.

La infección generalmente dura 6 semanas.

La tos ferina puede afectar a personas de cualquier edad. Antes de que hubiera una amplia disponibilidad de las vacunas, la enfermedad era más común en bebés y niños pequeños. Ahora, que la mayoría de los niños son vacunados antes de entrar en la escuela, el porcentaje más alto de casos se observa entre adolescentes y adultos.

Vista del sistema respiratorio

Reviewed last on: 11/2/2009
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.

Referencias

Braman SS. Postinfectious cough: ACCP evidence-based clinical practice guidelines. Chest. 2006;129(1):138S-146S.

US Food and Drug Administration. First Combination Vaccine Approved to Help Protect Adolescents Against Whooping Cough. Rockville, MD: National Press Office; May 3, 2005. Talk Paper T05-17.

Cohn AC, et al. Immunizations in the United States: a rite of passage.Pediatr Clin North Am. 2005;52(3):669-693.

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