Pertussis (Whooping Cough)
What is pertussis (whooping cough)?
Whooping cough is a very serious infection of the lungs and airways caused by the Bordatella pertussis bacteria. Symptoms can begin anywhere from 5 to 21 days after exposure.
How does it spread?
Pertussis bacteria are found in the nose and mouth of infected people and are spread easily through the air by breathing, coughing, sneezing or talking. Infected individuals can spread the illness for 21 days after symptoms begin, but are most contagious during the first two weeks.
Pertussis is most dangerous for pregnant women and infants. Many babies who are not yet protected fully from immunization get pertussis from older contacts who may not be aware they have the illness. About half of babies under one year old need to be hospitalized, and about one in four will develop pneumonia.
What are the symptoms of pertussis?
Pertussis usually begins with a runny nose and cough. After one to two weeks, the cough becomes more frequent and severe, sometimes ending in gagging, choking, vomiting, exhaustion or trouble breathing. Fever is usually absent or minimal. In adults, symptoms may be less severe.
- When children gasp for breath after a coughing fit, they may make a "whooping" sound.
Babies may not make this sound.
- Coughing fits can make it hard to eat, drink or sleep. Coughing happens more at night.
- Babies and young children may turn blue from lack of oxygen.
- Coughing fits may last for 10 weeks, and may recur with the next respiratory illness.
- Very rarely, pertussis can cause seizures, brain damage or death.
Treatment
Pertussis can be treated with antibiotics, but they may not eliminate symptoms entirely. A person will not be contagious after five days of medication. Without treatment, a person can stay contagious for three weeks. Children must be kept home from school while contagious to avoid spreading the infection to others.
Prevention
The best way to prevent the spread of pertussis is vaccination. The vaccine is publicly funded and is available for free from your health care provider.
Infants, children, and teenagers should be vaccinated. The vaccine is usually given at 2, 4, 6, and 18 months of age, followed by boosters at 4 to 6 years old and 14 to 16 years old. Adults should also receive a booster even if they were vaccinated or had pertussis as a child, since immunity can decrease over 5 to 15 years. People who are regularly in contact with infants, pregnant women, and others at high risk should ensure their vaccine is up to date in order to protect those who may not yet have immunity.
For more information, contact KFL&A Public Health at 613-549-1232 or 1-800-267-7875.
Revised: 2014-07-16