Public Health

What is pertussis? Pertussis, or whooping cough, is a highly contagious bacterial disease of the respiratory tract. The pertussis bacteria live in the mouth, nose, and throat of an infected person. The disease is most serious in infants and children of preschool age.

Who gets pertussis and how is it spread? Although you can get pertussis at any age, 75% of those who are diagnosed with pertussis are children under five years of age. Pertussis is contracted through direct contact or by breathing in airborne droplets containing the bacteria. The airborne droplets are created when an infected person sneezes, coughs, or even talks.

What are the symptoms of pertussis and when do they start? Pertussis generally begins with mild flu-like symptoms that include a runny nose, sneezing, low-grade fever, and a slight cough. Within two weeks, the cough becomes more severe and is characterized by episodes of numerous rapid, violent coughs (cough paroxysm) followed by a crowing or high pitch whoop. A thick, clear mucous may be discharged. These episodes may recur for one to two months, and are more frequent at night. Infants under the age of six months and adults often do not have this distinctive whoop. The symptoms of pertussis are generally much milder in adults and adolescents, and in children who have been partially immunized. Pertussis symptoms usually start within five to ten days after exposure to an infected person, but may take as long as 21 days.

For how long is a person contagious? A person with pertussis is contagious from the onset of the earliest symptoms to three weeks after the onset of coughing fits. However, the infectious period can be shortened considerably by taking medications as prescribed by a doctor.

What is the treatment for pertussis? A l4-day course of antibiotics is used to treat pertussis. All household and close contacts of a person with pertussis should also take the medication (regardless of their immunization status) to keep from getting or spreading the illness to others.

Is there a vaccine for pertussis? Yes. The pertussis vaccine is given together with diphtheria and tetanus vaccines in a combination shot called DThP: DTaP is recommended at 2, 4, 6, and 15 months of age, plus a booster at 4 to 6 years of age or before entry into school, whichever comes first. Immunization with pertussis vaccine may not always provide complete or permanent protection. The best way to avoid getting pertussis is to get vaccinated, however the vaccine is not recommended for persons seven years of age or older.

Wyoming Department of Health
2300 Capitol Ave.
Cheyenne WY 82002
(307) 777-7172

(Photo courtesy of Center for Disease Control and Prevention)