Protecting the very young against pertussis – cough, costs and cocooning

Protecting newborns from pertussis – the challenge of complete cocooning

BACKGROUND An increase of pertussis cases, especially in young infants and adolescents, has been noted in various countries. Whooping cough is most serious in neonates and young infants in whom it may cause serious complications such as cyanosis, apnoea, pneumonia, encephalopathy and death. To protect newborns and infants too young to be fully immunized, immunization of close contact persons ha...

Implementation of cocooning against pertussis in a high-risk population.

BACKGROUND In 2006, the Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices recommended tetanus, diphtheria, acellular pertussis (Tdap) vaccination of all caregivers of infants aged <1 year ("cocooning") to prevent pertussis-related complications and deaths. We implemented cocooning in a predominantly Hispanic, medically underserved, uninsured population at a Houston hospital. Phase 1 (January 2008-Ja...

Preventing Pertussis: Are Your Patients and Their Families ‘Cocooning’?

COMMENTARY Does Single or Double InseminationDuring Ovulation Induction Cycle IncreasePregnancy Rates? By Michael A. Thomas, MD Professor, Fellowship and Division Director, Section of Reproductive Endocrinology and Infertility, University of Cincinnati Academic Health Center Dr. Thomas reports no financial relationships relevant to this field of study. SYNOPSIS: Performing intrauterine ...

Protecting infants from pertussis.

QUESTION With the increased rate of pertussis in children, several families have asked me about ways to protect their young infants from pertussis infection. What should I recommend to these families? ANSWER Pertussis is a preventable disease that is endemic worldwide. In adults pertussis causes a mild coldlike illness followed by a persistent cough. In young infants it can cause apnea, seizu...

Protecting the elderly against high health care costs.