Which class of antibiotic should be prescribed for an adult patient with diagnosed pertussis?

Macrolides are the appropriate class of antibiotics to prescribe for an adult patient diagnosed with pertussis, also known as whooping cough. This choice is rooted in the fact that the primary causative agent of pertussis is Bordetella pertussis, which is a gram-negative bacterium. Macrolides, such as azithromycin and clarithromycin, are effective against this organism and are recommended for the treatment of pertussis, especially in adult populations.

Macrolides not only help alleviate the symptoms of pertussis but also play a crucial role in reducing the contagiousness of the infection. The treatment is most effective when started early in the course of the disease, ideally within the first few weeks of symptom onset.

Other antibiotic classes, such as cephalosporins, tetracyclines, and penicillins, are not effective against Bordetella pertussis. Cephalosporins and penicillins primarily target different bacterial organisms and do not have the necessary activity against this particular pathogen. Tetracyclines, while effective against some bacterial infections, are not the first-line or recommended option for pertussis due to their efficacy limitations in this case. Therefore, the use of mac