Pertussis in an Elderly Asian-American Man: A Case Report

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.