Paucis Verbis card: Algorithm for suspected pertussis in pediatrics

Posted by Michelle Lin, MD on

To treat for pertussis or not?

In the setting of the current pertussis epidemic in California, each kid with a cough sparks constant debate about whether to treat with azithromycin or not. Finally, thanks to my friends Dr. Andi Marmor and Dr. Shon Agarwal Jain (UCSF Pediatrics faculty), there’s a great algorithm to help you answer the question. I have found this algorithm extremely helpful.

You basically start by risk-stratifying by age and pertussis immunization status. For instance, if the patient is 6 months of age AND unimmunized), then follow the algorithm listed as “High Risk for Pertussis”.

PV Card: Suspected Pertussis in Pediatric Patients


Go to ALiEM (PV) Cards for more resources.

Author information

ALiEM Founder and CEO
Professor and Digital Innovation Lab Director
Department of Emergency Medicine
University of California, San Francisco

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