Scenario: The infant is cyanotic, Irritable and experiencing a paroxysmal cough. The infant's temperature is taken and noted as 103.8 F. The mother reveals the infant has been experiencing a cough and congestion for two weeks or more. The infant was born at home and has not been seen by a family practitioner or pediatrician to date. The infant has been exposed to neighborhood children ill with a mild cough. Chest x-rays are taken and blood samples are analyzed. The laboratory results indicate a highly elevated leukocyte count. Pronounced pneumonia is evident in the radiography. In your post address the following:
1. Explain and justify to the infant's mother that this not an asthma attack and identify the likely infectious agent.
2. Explain that this is a vaccine- preventable disease and explain how vaccines prevent disease.