Final answer:
The most effective way to prevent Bordetella pertussis is through active vaccination with DTaP or Tdap vaccines, combined with general health measures like avoiding smoking, exercising, and handwashing.
Step-by-step explanation:
Bordetella pertussis, the causative agent of whooping cough, can be effectively prevented through active vaccination. The best preventive strategy is the administration of the DTaP or Tdap vaccines. These vaccines contain acellular pertussis toxins that stimulate the body’s immune response without causing the disease. Children should receive five doses of DTaP vaccine, while adolescents and adults should receive the Tdap booster. Widespread vaccination efforts have led to a substantial reduction in pertussis cases and have curtailed large epidemics. However, declining vaccination rates in some areas have contributed to a resurgence of the disease. Parents should ensure that their children receive the recommended vaccinations to protect against pertussis as well as other preventable diseases.
While antibiotics such as erythromycin or tetracycline can be effective at the earliest stages of the disease, they are less effective once the infection has progressed. They can, however, reduce the rate of transmission if administered prophylactically to uninfected individuals. In addition to vaccination, basic health measures like avoiding smoking, getting enough exercise, and frequent handwashing can help protect the respiratory system from illnesses like whooping cough.