Pertussis is also called whooping cough. You should know that pertussis:
- Spreads easily from person to person
- Is caused by a bacteria (Bordetella pertussis)
- Begins like a common cold but becomes a severe cough that can last for weeks
- Is especially dangerous to babies
Vaccination is the best way to prevent pertussis.
Pertussis symptoms usually appear 4-21 days after exposure.
Symptoms come in two stages:
- In the early stage, symptoms are like the common cold.
- In the later stage, people develop severe coughing fits. Babies may get other symptoms and can experience complications.
The early stage can last for 1-2 weeks. In the early stage, symptoms might include:
- Runny nose
- Mild fever
- Mild cough
In the later stage, people develop severe coughing fits. This stage can last 4-6 weeks. The cough gets worse as time goes on.
During coughing fits, people might:
- Make a “whoop” noise
- Throw up
- Have trouble breathing
- Break a rib
Babies may have trouble breathing. Some babies don’t cough. Instead, they have pauses in breathing called apnea. Babies with apnea might:
- Turn blue
- Struggle to breathe
Babies younger than 1 year old may have additional complications:
- Pneumonia (lung infection)
- Convulsions (shaking that won’t stop)
- Encephalopathy (brain disease)
- Death
Pertussis spreads easily from person to person through droplets created when a sick person sneezes or coughs. The bacteria in these droplets can get people sick when they breathe in droplets or touch surfaces where the droplets have landed.
People are most contagious when symptoms first start. They continue to be contagious for about three weeks after they begin coughing. Treatment with antibiotics can reduce the time sick people are contagious. After completing antibiotic treatment, people may return to normal activities.
Babies who are not vaccinated are most at risk for severe illness. Babies usually get sick from family and caregivers.
To prevent getting sick, use many strategies together to slow the spread of respiratory illnesses.
Vaccines
Vaccines are the best way to prevent severe illness from pertussis. Everyone should get the pertussis vaccine.
- DTaP is the pertussis vaccine for children younger than 7 years old
- Tdap is the pertussis vaccine for adults and children 7 or older.
- Both DTaP and Tdap vaccines protect against three diseases—diphtheria, tetanus and pertussis.
Follow CDC recommendations for pertussis vaccines for everyone, as described by age groups below.
Babies and Children
Babies should get three shots of DTaP at the following ages:
- 2 months
- 4 months
- 6 months
Children should get two booster shots of DTaP at the following ages:
Preteens and Teens
Preteens should get one shot of Tdap at 11-12 years.
Teens who didn’t get Tdap as a preteen should get one shot the next time they visit their doctor.
Adults
Adults who never received a Tdap shot can get one at any time.
Pregnant women should get Tdap early in the 3rd trimester of every pregnancy. This helps protect babies from pertussis in their first few months of life.
Antibiotics
- Preventive antibiotics are also known as post-exposure prophylaxis (PEP).
- PEP are medicines given to someone who has been exposed to pertussis (close contact) to help stop them from getting sick.
- Talk to your doctor if you are identified as a close contact to see if PEP is right for you - especially if you are a close contact that is:
- a household member OR
- someone with moderate to severe asthma, an immunocompromised person, or an infant under 12 months of age OR
- a caregiver/household member of someone with moderate to severe asthma, an immunocompromised individual, or an infant under 12 months of age
Other Ways to Prevent Getting Sick
Pertussis spreads from sneezing and coughing (via droplets).
To help avoid pertussis:
- Wash hands frequently
- Stay away from people who are sick
There are two ways to test for pertussis:
- Swab of your nose and throat
- Blood test
The early stage of pertussis is often confused with the common cold. Knowing if you have been near people with pertussis will help your doctor diagnose you correctly.
Getting tested early helps you get treated early.
In the early stage of pertussis, antibiotics can help:
- Make you less ill
- Prevent you from spreading it to others
In the later stage of pertussis, antibiotics probably won’t help. The infection stage is over and the cough is from the damaged airways that need time to fully heal.