Final answer:
The recommended treatment for pertussis is with macrolides like azithromycin or clarithromycin, which are also used for post-exposure prophylaxis. Vaccination with DTaP or Tdap is the best preventive strategy. ß-Lactam antibiotics, such as penicillin, are mainly used for other types of respiratory infections.
Step-by-step explanation:
The treatment of pertussis, also known as whooping cough, and post-exposure prophylaxis (ppx) typically involves the use of macrolides, such as azithromycin or clarithromycin. These antibiotics are effective at the early stages of the disease and can reduce the rate of transmission when given later in the infection and prophylactically to uninfected individuals. However, the best approach to control pertussis is active vaccination with the DTaP or Tdap vaccines, where the "aP" component is a pertussis toxoid. In the case of exposure to pertussis, macrolides are commonly used for post-exposure prophylaxis to prevent the disease in close contacts who aren't yet showing symptoms.
It's important to note that while other antibiotics such as ß-lactams like penicillin and tetracycline can be effective against other respiratory infections the recommended approach for pertussis involves macrolides. Vigilance is required as S. pneumoniae resistance to macrolides and fluoroquinolones is on the rise, which could potentially limit therapeutic options for some infections.