2025 – PAGE 338 – INFECTIOUS DISEASES

2025 – Core Study Guide 16 – Infectious Diseases 2025 – PAGE 338 – INFECTIOUS DISEASES

STACCATO, BARKY, AND PAROXYSMAL COUGH PEARLS

  • If STACCATO is used to describe infection-related cough in a school-age child, pick CHLAMYDIA PNEUMONIAE. A staccato cough is one in which there’s an uncontrollable cough followed by a pause/breath, and then followed by another cough and a pause.
  • If BARKY is used to describe an infection-related cough, pick CROUP (due to para­in­fluenza or other viruses).
  • If PAROXYSMAL is used to describe an infection-related cough, pick PERTUSSIS. A paroxysmal cough is one in which there are several uncontrollable coughs in succession, followed by just enough time for one large and deep inspiration (which sounds like a “whoop”).
  • PEARL: Both Chlamydia trachomatis and Chlamydia pneumoniae cause staccato coughs. C. trachomatis commonly affects neonates (age 2-19 weeks), while C. pneumoniae affects school-age children 5-15 years of age.
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