Increase in Pertussis Cases in Arlington

Suspect Pertussis Cases

Close Contacts

If coughing for less than 21 days:

• Test with a nasopharyngeal swab for pertussis PCR and culture, as recommended. Serology is not reliable for the diagnosis of acute pertussis.
• Do not delay treatment with appropriate antibiotics while waiting for laboratory results if there is a known exposure or no alternative diagnosis.
• Consider antibiotic prophylaxis for all household members for patients who meet the clinical criteria of pertussis.
• Exclude from school, summer programs, work and other group activities until the completion of 5 days of appropriate antibiotic therapy or until 21 days has passed from the onset of cough if therapy is not administered.

If coughing for more than 21 days:

• Generally NOT recommended for pertussis laboratory testing, antibiotic therapy, or public health exclusion recommendations, though infants and pregnant people in their third trimester should be treated through 6 weeks after cough onset.

• Individuals identified as a close contact to a confirmed pertussis case should be evaluated by their healthcare provider for PEP – this includes:

• Household contacts
• Those with a high risk of complications from pertussis (including individuals with moderate to severe asthma, immunocompromised individuals, and infants under 12 months of age).Symptomatic contacts should be tested for pertussis and receive antibiotic treatment; Testing is not needed for asymptomatic contacts.
• Those who are caregivers/household members of persons with moderate to severe asthma, immunocompromised individuals, and infants under 12 months of age.

• Macrolides are the preferred antimicrobial agents for PEP and treatment; CDC provides dosage and administration guidance.