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    ODH Fact Sheet On Whooping Cough

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    Pertussis is a highly contagious respiratory infection caused by the bacteria Bordetella pertussis. It is primarily spread through direct contact with respiratory discharges from infected individuals. Symptoms begin as mild upper respiratory symptoms and progress to severe coughing fits. Vaccination is recommended for infants, children, adolescents, adults and pregnant women to prevent spread.

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    ODH Fact Sheet On Whooping Cough

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    Pertussis is a highly contagious respiratory infection caused by the bacteria Bordetella pertussis. It is primarily spread through direct contact with respiratory discharges from infected individuals. Symptoms begin as mild upper respiratory symptoms and progress to severe coughing fits. Vaccination is recommended for infants, children, adolescents, adults and pregnant women to prevent spread.

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    ODH fact sheet on whooping cough

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    ODH fact sheet on whooping cough

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    Pertussis is a highly contagious respiratory infection caused by the bacteria Bordetella pertussis. It is primarily spread through direct contact with respiratory discharges from infected individuals. Symptoms begin as mild upper respiratory symptoms and progress to severe coughing fits. Vaccination is recommended for infants, children, adolescents, adults and pregnant women to prevent spread.

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    © All Rights Reserved
    Download as PDF, TXT or read online from Scribd
    Download as pdf or txt
    1K views2 pages

    ODH Fact Sheet On Whooping Cough

    Uploaded by

    WKYC.com
    Pertussis is a highly contagious respiratory infection caused by the bacteria Bordetella pertussis. It is primarily spread through direct contact with respiratory discharges from infected individuals. Symptoms begin as mild upper respiratory symptoms and progress to severe coughing fits. Vaccination is recommended for infants, children, adolescents, adults and pregnant women to prevent spread.

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    Disease Fact Sheet Pertussis

    What is pertussis?
    Pertussis, or whooping cough, is a highly contagious respiratory infection caused by the
    bacteria Bordetella pertussis.

    Who gets pertussis?


    Pertussis can occur at any age. Although most of the reported cases occur in children under
    five years, the number of cases in adolescents and adults is increasing, probably due to
    waning of vaccine immunity. Adolescents and adults and those partially protected by the
    vaccine may have milder disease which is not diagnosed as pertussis. Pertussis is thought
    to account for up to 7% of cough illnesses per year in adults.

    How is pertussis spread?


    Pertussis is primarily spread by direct contact with the discharges from the nose and throat
    of infected individuals. Frequently, older siblings or other adult household members who
    may be harboring the bacteria in their nose and throat can bring the disease home and
    infect an infant in the household.

    What are the symptoms of pertussis?


    Pertussis begins as a mild upper respiratory infection. Initially, symptoms resemble those
    of a common cold, including sneezing, runny nose, low-grade fever, and a mild cough.
    Within two weeks, the cough becomes more severe and is characterized by episodes of
    numerous rapid coughs followed by a crowing or high-pitched whoop. A thick, clear mucous
    may be discharged with the coughing. These episodes may recur for one to two months
    and typically are more frequent at night. Young infants, adolescents, and adults sometimes
    do not have these typical coughing spells. Older people or partially immunized children may
    have milder symptoms.

    How soon after infection do symptoms appear?


    The incubation period is usually 7 to 10 days, with a range of 4 to 21 days.

    When and for how long is a person able to spread pertussis?


    A person can transmit pertussis from the onset of symptoms to three weeks after the onset
    of coughing episodes. The period of communicability can be reduced to five days after
    appropriate antibiotic therapy is begun.

    How is pertussis diagnosed?


    Early diagnosis and treatment are very important because antibiotics can help prevent
    severe illness and reduce the chances of a close contact developing the disease. If pertussis
    is suspected, swabs of respiratory secretions are collected and sent to the laboratory for
    testing.

    Can pertussis be treated?


    Yes, antibiotics are available to treat pertussis. It is important that treatment be started as
    soon as possible. Treating pertussis early can make the illness less severe and help prevent
    spreading the illness to other people.

    Does past infection with pertussis make a person immune?


    One attack usually confers immunity comparable to that provided by vaccine. Getting sick
    with pertussis doesn’t provide lifelong protection, so people should continue to receive
    recommended pertussis vaccines even if they’ve had the disease.

    ODH-IDCM: PERTUSSIS Page 1 Revised 3/2024


    What are the complications associated with pertussis?
    Young infants are at the greatest risk for complications. Serious complications of pertussis
    include pneumonia, seizures, encephalopathy (disorders of the brain), and death. Less
    serious complications include ear infections, loss of appetite, and dehydration.

    What is the vaccine for pertussis?


    Vaccination is recommended for infants and children, adolescents, adults, and pregnant
    women.
    • Children should be immunized with the DTaP (diphtheria toxoid in combination with
    tetanus toxoid and acellular pertussis) vaccine at 2, 4, 6, and 15 to 18 months of age
    and between 4 and 6 years of age.
    • Adolescents and adults (regardless of age) who have never received Tdap should
    receive a single dose of Tdap. This should be followed by a Td or Tdap booster every
    10 years.
    • Pregnant women should receive a single dose of Tdap during every pregnancy,
    preferably during weeks 27-36 of gestation.

    See the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) website for the most current
    vaccine recommendations: www.cdc.gov/vaccines/vpd/dtap-tdap-td/public.

    What can be done to prevent the spread of pertussis?


    The single most effective control measure is maintaining the highest possible level of
    immunization in the community. The treatment of cases of pertussis with the appropriate
    antibiotic is important, as is the treatment of close contacts of cases. In addition, medical
    professionals should consider the diagnosis of pertussis in adolescents and adults with
    persistent coughs. People who have or may have pertussis (including those with a
    persistent cough) should stay away from young children and infants until properly evaluated
    by a physician.

    For more information, please visit these websites:


    • CDC Pertussis: www.cdc.gov/pertussis
    • CDC Pertussis Vaccination: www.cdc.gov/vaccines/vpd/pertussis
    • CDC ACIP DTaP/IPV/Hib/HepB ACIP Vaccine Recommendations:
    www.cdc.gov/vaccines/hcp/acip-recs/vacc-specific/dtap-ipv-hib-hepb.html
    • CDC ACIP DTaP/Tdap/Td ACIP Vaccine Recommendations:
    www.cdc.gov/vaccines/hcp/acip-recs/vacc-specific/dtap.html

    ODH-IDCM: PERTUSSIS Page 2 Revised 3/2024

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