Health & Human Services
Pertussis (Whooping Cough) Information
How pertussis Sounds
- Coughing fits
Click here to hear coughing fits - Whoop (gasp for air; occurs after coughing fit)Click here to hear whoop
What is pertussis?
Pertussis, or whooping cough, is a highly contagious disease involving the respiratory tract. It is caused by a bacterium that is found in the mouth, nose and throat of an infected person.
Who gets pertussis?
Pertussis can occur at any age, however, infants and young children are at highest risk of severe illness and the most serious complications. Recently, more cases are also being reported among adolescents and adults. Pertussis most often affects persons without any pertussis vaccination, those persons with incomplete vaccinations, and those older persons who were previously immunized as children in whom immunity has waned.
How is pertussis spread?
The bacteria are shed in discharges from the nose and throat and spread to others through direct contact with discharges or breathing in droplets expelled when an infected person coughs or sneezes. An infected person is contagious from just before onset of symptoms until up to three weeks after symptoms start.
What are the symptoms of pertussis?
The first symptoms are similar to those of a common cold - a runny nose, sneezing, low-grade or no fever and a mild, occasional cough. Over the next one to two weeks, the cough gradually becomes severe and may progress to severe coughing fits, or spasmodic bursts of numerous, rapid coughs, followed by a “whoop,” which is a gasp for air. During such an attack, the patient may turn blue and vomit. Coughing attacks occur more frequently at night and may be so severe that infants find it difficult to eat, drink, or breathe. This type of coughing may last for six or more weeks. Cough medicines usually do not help eliminate this cough. Recovery is gradual, but coughing episodes can recur for months after the onset of pertussis. Adolescents and adults generally have milder symptoms without the typical “whoop.”
How soon after exposure do symptoms appear?
Symptoms usually appear in 5 to 10 days but can take as long as 21 days.
How is pertussis treated?
Pertussis is usually treated with appropriate antibiotics. Infected persons should be excluded from school and other activities until 5 days of antibiotics is completed. People in close contact with children or adults with pertussis usually need to be treated with antibiotics and efforts should be taken to minimize pertussis exposure to infants <12 months of age (who have the greatest risk of complications of pertussis)
What are the complications associated with pertussis?
Complications of pertussis may include pneumonia, middle ear infection, weight loss, dehydration, seizures, disorders of the brain, rib fractures, and death.
What is the vaccine for pertussis?
Every child should receive a dose of pertussis vaccine at 2, 4, 6 and 15 months of age and another dose at 4 to 6 years of age. It is usually given to children combined with diphtheria and tetanus vaccines in a shot called DTP or DTaP. These early childhood pertussis vaccines provide protection when children are most susceptible to serious illness, but immunity begins to wane 5-10 years after the last shot. Protection can be completely gone by the time a child enters middle school.
New booster vaccines for adolescents and adults, referred to as Tdap (tetanus, diphtheria and pertussis), became available in 2005. These vaccines have been added to the recommended schedule of vaccinations for adolescents and adults.
What can be done to prevent the spread of pertussis?
The single most effective control measure is maintaining the highest possible level of immunization in the community. Treatment of cases with certain antibiotics can shorten the contagious period. People who have or may have pertussis should stay away from young children and infants until properly treated. Treatment of people who are close contacts of pertussis cases is also an important part of prevention. In addition, frequent handwashing and respiratory hygiene (e.g., covering your cough, coughing into tissues, disposing of tissues promptly) are important practices that help to limit the spread of infection.
For more information on pertussis, call (847) 866-2962.
HEALTH & HUMAN SERVICES