Pertussis (Whooping Cough)

What is pertussis?

Pertussis (whooping cough) is a very serious respiratory illness caused by bacteria. The germ that causes pertussis is very easily spread from person to person. It is spread by close contact with drops of fluid from the nose and throat of someone who has the disease. Pertussis can be spread to others from the time someone catches the disease until 3 weeks after the symptoms start. If the person is treated, then this time period would be only 5 days.

Whooping cough is most dangerous for babies and young children who are too young to get the vaccine and can be deadly.

Who can get pertussis?

Anyone can get pertussis, though most severe cases occur in children less than one year of age. Older children and adults may get and spread the disease, but they usually only have mild symptoms.

What are the symptoms?

Whooping cough can begin as a mild cold, with a runny nose or congestion, sneezing and a mild cough or fever. This stage typically lasts 1 or 2 weeks. The cough can then get progressively worse, with symptoms that may include: 

• a deep rapid coughing and a “whoop”
• vomiting after coughing 
• coughing is worse at night
• apnea (periods of not breathing) in babies

These symptoms will start about 10 days after a person has been exposed to the virus but could appear 20 days later. The symptoms can last for 6-10 weeks. Although most people recover from the disease, some people can be very ill. Pneumonia and seizures can occur.

What is the treatment?

Pertussis is treated with an antibiotic prescribed by your health care provider. The earlier the antibiotic is taken (within 3 weeks of when the cough begins), the less time the person will be infectious, although this may not decrease their symptoms. Some infants, children and adults who are in contact with the person with pertussis may also need to take an antibiotic.

It is important for children who have not started or completed their childhood immunizations to complete their immunizations. It is also important for teens and adults to get their booster dose if they have not already received it.

How can you prevent pertussis?

There are two vaccines that help protect children against pertussis: DTaP and Tdap. Both also protect against diphtheria and tetanus and are used at different ages.  Your healthcare provider will determine of these which is appropriate for your child.

Every child should get the pertussis vaccine at 2, 4, 6, 18 months and at 4-6 years of age.

School age children receive another booster of pertussis vaccine in Grade 7 in the School Immunization Program.

Pregnant people, in every pregnancy, should receive a dose of pertussis containing vaccine to protect their babies until they can start getting the vaccine themselves.

All other adults who have not received a dose of pertussis vaccine in adulthood should receive a single dose for the prevention of pertussis, especially if they are in contact with pregnant women, infants and young children (including but not limited to parents, grandparents, other close family, childcare providers, healthcare workers).