Abstract
Cough is a frequent presenting complaint in the Emergency Department. The differential
diagnosis for cough is variable depending on patient age and symptom duration. We
report the case of an elderly gentleman with a history of asthma who presented with
cough, with the ultimate diagnosis of Bordetella pertussis infection. The management of the patient in the Emergency Department placed hospital
staff at risk for infection from a virulent pathogen. Details regarding typical and
atypical presentations of pertussis and the establishment of transmission-based precautions
are discussed.
Keywords
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Article info
Publication history
Published online: May 08, 2008
Accepted:
July 13,
2007
Received in revised form:
January 18,
2007
Received:
July 14,
2006
Identification
Copyright
© 2010 Published by Elsevier Inc.
