See Explanation
[]
Infectious
bacterial disease
pertussis
A 32-year-old man presents to an outpatient clinic with a 3-week history of a persistent, severe cough. He describes the cough as paroxysmal, often ending with a distinct inspiratory "whoop" sound and occasionally leading to post-tussive emesis. He denies fever or chills but reports feeling exhausted after coughing spells. He works as a kindergarten teacher and recalls several children in his class recently having similar prolonged cough illnesses. On examination, his temperature is 37.1 C (98.8 F), pulse 82 bpm, respiratory rate 16 breaths/min, and blood pressure 128/78 mmHg. Lung auscultation reveals clear breath sounds bilaterally, and there are no signs of respiratory distress, apart from an occasional observed coughing fit. A chest X-ray is unremarkable. What is the most likely diagnosis and the most appropriate initial management strategy for this patient, considering public health implications?
| Lab Parameter | Value | Reference Range |
|---|---|---|
| White Blood Cell (WBC) count | 18.5 x 10^9/L | 4.0-10.0 x 10^9/L |
| Lymphocyte percentage | 75% | 20-40% |
| C-reactive protein (CRP) | 3.2 mg/L | <5.0 mg/L |
Edit question
