A 2-month-old infant presents with severe coughing fits, post-tussive vomiting, and inspiratory whoop; incomplete vaccination; coughing for two weeks. What is the most appropriate treatment?

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Multiple Choice

A 2-month-old infant presents with severe coughing fits, post-tussive vomiting, and inspiratory whoop; incomplete vaccination; coughing for two weeks. What is the most appropriate treatment?

Explanation:
Treat pertussis in an infant with a macrolide antibiotic. Azithromycin is preferred in young infants because it effectively targets Bordetella pertussis and helps reduce transmission, with a convenient dosing regimen and good tolerability. In a 2-month-old with classic symptoms and incomplete vaccination, initiating a macrolide promptly is the most appropriate course. Amoxicillin and cefuroxime are not reliably active against pertussis and won’t effectively treat the infection. Doxycycline is avoided in infants due to risks to teeth and bone development.

Treat pertussis in an infant with a macrolide antibiotic. Azithromycin is preferred in young infants because it effectively targets Bordetella pertussis and helps reduce transmission, with a convenient dosing regimen and good tolerability. In a 2-month-old with classic symptoms and incomplete vaccination, initiating a macrolide promptly is the most appropriate course.

Amoxicillin and cefuroxime are not reliably active against pertussis and won’t effectively treat the infection. Doxycycline is avoided in infants due to risks to teeth and bone development.

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