infections
Pertussis
Treatment of Pertussis
For seriously ill infants, hospitalization and isolation Antibiotics Seriously ill infants are usually hospitalized because their breathing may become so difficult that they require Mechanical Ventilation through a tube placed in their windpipe. Some may need to have mucus suctioned from their throat. Others may need extra oxygen and fluids given by vein. Seriously ill infants are usually kept in isolation (to prevent other people from being exposed to infected droplets in the air—called respiratory isolation) until antibiotics have been given for 5 days. Because any disturbance can trigger a coughing fit, these infants are kept in a darkened, quiet room and disturbed as little as possible. Older children who have mild disease are treated with antibiotics at home. Children treated at home should be isolated for at least 4 weeks after symptoms began and until symptoms resolve. Cough medicines are of questionable value and are not usually used. The antibioticerythromycinorazithromycin, taken by mouth, is usually used to eradicate the bacteria causing pertussis. Antibiotics are also used to treat infections that accompany the pertussis, such as pneumonia and ear infection. 