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Pertussis

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Pertussis (Whooping Cough)

What is pertussis? Who gets pertussis?


Pertussis, or whooping cough, is a disease that ▪ Anyone of any age can get pertussis.
affects the lungs. Pertussis bacteria are spread ▪ Teenagers and adults account for more than
from person to person through droplets produced half of reported cases.
during coughing or sneezing. A person with ▪ Cases in school-age children are increasing.
pertussis develops a severe cough that usually lasts ▪ Older children and adults usually have less
four to six weeks or longer. Pertussis can be very severe illness, but they can still spread the
serious, especially in infants. disease to infants and young children.

What are the symptoms of Is there a vaccine for pertussis?


pertussis? There are two pertussis vaccines: DTaP and Tdap.
The first symptoms of pertussis are similar to a Both vaccines are given in combination with
cold: sneezing, a runny nose, possibly a low-grade tetanus and diphtheria. Your age determines which
fever, and a cough. After one or two weeks, the vaccine you should receive and how many doses
cough becomes severe, such as: you need. Talk to your health care provider to find
out more.
▪ The cough occurs in sudden, uncontrollable
bursts where one cough follows the next Pregnant women should get Tdap during the third
without a break for breath. trimester of each pregnancy. If Tdap wasn’t given
▪ A high-pitched whooping sound occurs when during pregnancy, the new mother should get Tdap
breathing in after a coughing episode. right after delivery.
Whooping is less common in infants, adults,
and people who have received pertussis Timing of Tdap: If you haven’t received Tdap yet,
vaccine. you should get it even if you recently received Td
▪ Vomiting during or after a coughing spell. vaccine. Ask your health care provider for Tdap at
▪ The person’s face or lips may look blue from your next visit.
lack of oxygen.
▪ The cough is often worse at night. People who have completed some or all of the
▪ Between coughing spells, the person seems recommended vaccinations for pertussis may still
well, but the illness is exhausting over time. get pertussis disease but will generally have a
▪ Coughing episodes gradually become less milder illness.
frequent, but may continue for several weeks
or months until the lungs heal. Is there a lab test for pertussis?
Yes. To test for pertussis, the nasal passages are
What are complications of pertussis? swabbed. Material on the swab is then examined in
▪ Pertussis in infants is often severe, and infants the lab for the presence of pertussis bacteria.
are more likely than older children or adults to
develop complications.
▪ The most common complication of pertussis is
bacterial pneumonia.
▪ Rare complications include seizures,
inflammation of the brain, and death.

(2/2019) Page 1 of 2
PERTUSSIS (WHOOPING COUGH)

How is pertussis spread? How can pertussis be prevented?


The bacteria are found in fluids from the mouth Vaccinate all children on time and make sure
and nose of someone with pertussis. The bacteria adolescents and adults receive Tdap. This is the
are spread when fluid containing the bacteria gets best way to prevent pertussis. You can also:
in your nose or mouth. This can happen when a
▪ Avoid close contact with others who are
person with pertussis coughs or sneezes on you, or
coughing or otherwise ill.
by touching the fluid and then touching your eyes,
▪ Wash their hands often.
nose, or mouth. In general, a person is at greater
▪ Stay at home if ill.
risk of getting pertussis if they are within three feet
▪ Cover their cough with a tissue or cough into
of someone with pertussis for at least 10 hours a
their sleeve.
week. This is considered close contact.
▪ Seek medical attention if they develop
The period between exposure to the bacteria and pertussis-like symptoms or have been exposed
onset of illness is usually 7 to 10 days but may be to someone with pertussis.
as long as 21 days.
If you have pertussis, stay at home and avoid close
contact with others until you have taken antibiotics
When and for how long can a person for at least five full days and are no longer
spread pertussis? infectious to others. If you are not taking
antibiotics, stay at home for at least three weeks
Pertussis is most infectious (most likely to spread
after your cough began.
to others) early in the illness.
People who have pertussis but have completed five Minnesota Department of Health
days of antibiotics can no longer spread the PO Box 64975
disease. St. Paul, MN 55164-0975
651-201-5414
People who have the disease but do not take
www.health.state.mn.us/pertussis
antibiotics can spread the disease during the first
three weeks they are coughing. Note: The cough To obtain this information in a different format, call:
will generally last longer than three weeks until the 651-201-5414.
lungs are healed.

Can pertussis be treated?


Pertussis can be treated with antibiotics, but
treatment may not cure the symptoms. However,
antibiotics will reduce the spread of disease to
others.
Antibiotics lessen the symptoms if given during the
early stages of illness. When antibiotics are started
later in the illness, the damage from pertussis is
already done and the cough will last until the lungs
heal. Pertussis bacteria die off naturally after three
weeks of coughing. If antibiotics are not started
within that time, they are no longer recommended.
Antibiotics can also be given to close contacts of
persons with pertussis to prevent or lessen the
symptoms.

(2/2019) Page 2 of 2

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