What is the first-line treatment for whooping cough?

The first-line treatment for whooping cough, also known as pertussis, is macrolides. This group of antibiotics, which includes drugs such as azithromycin and erythromycin, is effective against the causative agent of whooping cough, Bordetella pertussis.

Macrolides work by inhibiting bacterial protein synthesis, helping to reduce the severity and duration of symptoms when given early in the course of the illness. Moreover, because whooping cough is highly contagious, treating infected individuals with macrolides also helps prevent the spread of the infection to others, which is particularly important in outbreak situations.

In contrast, other antibiotic classes like tetracyclines and fluoroquinolones are not recommended as first-line treatments for whooping cough due to either reduced efficacy against Bordetella pertussis or because they are not suitable for certain populations, such as young children and pregnant women. Penicillins are also not effective against this specific bacterium, which is why they are not used in the treatment of whooping cough.