Pertussis (Whooping Cough)
Module 5 Case Assignment: Pertussis (Whooping Cough) Tasks Part A: In one page maximum Briefly describe the disease: Pertussis in terms of its infectivity, pathogenicity, and virulence. Identify any reservoir(s), and mode(s) of transmission Part B: (1-2 pages) Weighing the benefits and the risks, take a clear position on whether you feel vaccination programs for Pertussis (whooping cough) should be expanded in your current community. Explain factors that went into your decision. Assignment Expectations, in order to earn full credit: Please write your paper in your own words. That is the only way I can evaluate your level of understanding. Quotes are rarely needed; if necessary, they should comprise less than 10% of a paper and must be properly cited. Even though the papers must be written in your own words, you are required to cite sources for any statement of fact or idea that is not common knowledge. You must cite the sources within the body of the paper and include a reference list at the end of the paper. Note: Wikipedia is not an acceptable source of information. Use credible, professional, and scholarly sources such as journal articles from ProQuest or EBSCO, and government, university, or nonprofit organizations’ Web sites. You must clearly show that you have read the module homepage and the required background materials. You are welcome to do research in addition to -- but not instead of -- the required readings. Your papers will be evaluated on the following factors: References - citations are used within the body of the paper any time you state a fact or idea that is not common knowledge. A reference list is included at the end of the paper. Precision - you follow all instructions and you answer each part of the assignment. Breadth - you show broad knowledge of the module’s topic. Depth - you go into detail to show more critical thought about the specific tasks or questions in the assignment. Clarity - the extent to which you elaborate and include discussion or examples as asked. Application - the extent to which you apply the information to a real-life situation related to the assignment, if asked. Before you begin, please review this information about When to Cite Sources http://www(dot)princeton(dot)edu/pr/pub/integrity/pages/cite/ Other resources are available at http://owl(dot)english(dot)purdue(dot)edu/owl/resource/560/02/
Pertussis (Whooping Cough)
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Pertussis is a disease caused by bacterium known as Bordetella pertussis and is extremely communicable among the children. It is commonly referred to as the whooping cough, derived from the fact that the disease is associated with coughing and sneezing as the agent infects the upper respiratory tract (Department of Health Victoria Australia, 2013). The infectivity may last between six to 20 days.
With reference to the pathogenesis of the disease, it has been found to be mediated by toxins. When the bacteria attaches onto the cilia of the respiratory tract, it releases the toxins that cause the cilia to paralyse. Then there is the aspect of respiratory tract inflammation, leading to the inhibition of the clearing the secretions of the pulmonary. While some of the past research did not indicate the bacterium invading the cells, recent studies show that the bacterium is also present in the macrophages of the alveolar (Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, 2013).
To infect the host the bacterium is known to produce several virulent factors that include the release of the tracheal cytotoxin, pertact...