Pertussis/ Whooping Cough

What is Pertussis? (CDC.com)

Pertussis, a respiratory illness commonly known as whooping cough, is a very contagious disease caused by a type of bacteria called Bordetella pertussis. This sickness can cause serious illness in babies, children, teens, and adults. Symptoms of pertussis usually develop within 5 to 10 days after you are exposed. Sometimes pertussis symptoms do not develop for as long as 3 weeks.

Symptoms:

  • Runny nose
  • Low-grade fever (generally minimal throughout the course of the disease)
  • Mild, occasional cough
  • Apnea – a pause in breathing (in babies)
  • Paroxysms (fits) of many, rapid coughs followed by a high-pitched “whoop” sound
  • Vomiting (throwing up) during or after coughing fits
  • Exhaustion (very tired) after coughing fits

Transmission

  • Pertussis is a very contagious disease only found in humans. Pertussis spreads from person to person. People with pertussis usually spread the disease to another person by coughing or sneezing or when spending a lot of time near one another where you share breathing space.

How Can I Prevent Pertussis?

  • The main way to prevent yourself from getting infected by this terrible disease is to simply, Get Vaccinated!
    • Consider our provided vaccine against whooping cough that is listed below.
      • DTaP protects against diphtheria, tetanus, and pertussis (whooping cough)