Pertussis

Whooping Cough

What is pertussis?

Pertussis, or whooping cough, is a highly contagious disease involving the upper  respiratory tract. It is caused by the bacterium Bordatella pertussis that can be found in the mouth, nose, and throat of an infected person. Approximately 400 to 1,000 cases  are reported each year in Washington State, but this is highly variable from year to year.

Who gets pertussis?

Pertussis can occur at any age. Severe illness is more common in young children who have not been immunized. Older immunized children or adults with pertussis have milder symptoms. Those at increased risk for severe pertussis are:

  1. Infants < 1 year old
  2. Pregnant women (particularly those in their third trimester)
  3. Anyone who may expose infants < 1 year old or pregnant women (e.g., members of a household with infants or pregnant women, child care workers who take care of infants < 1 year old, health care workers with face-to-face contact with infants < 1 year old or pregnant women, childbirth educators)

How is pertussis spread?

Pertussis is primarily spread when infected people cough or sneeze, expelling droplets that contain Bordetella pertussis bacteria. Pertussis spreads by direct contact with infectious respiratory secretions by droplet transmission. Such droplets generally travel three feet or less when an infected person talks, coughs, or sneezes. Older siblings or adults who may not have symptoms or who may have mild symptoms can still infect other people, especially infants.

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 (oral temp <100.4 °F) and a mild cough. Within two weeks, the cough becomes more severe and is characterized by episodes of many rapid coughs followed by a gasping for air with a high-pitched “whooping” sound. This extreme coughing may cause patients to throw up or become very tired. Patients may cough up thick mucus. These episodes may recur for one to two months and are more frequent at night.

Young children who have not been immunized have the most severe symptoms. Infants less than six months old, adolescents and adults often don’t have the characteristic whoop. Young infants may experience apnea or a pause in the child’s breathing pattern.

How soon after exposure do symptoms appear?

The time between exposure and illness is usually 5 to 10 days, but may be as long as 21 days.

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

A person is contagious from when they first notice cold-like symptoms to three weeks after the onset of coughing episodes. Treatment of cases with antibiotics, such as azithromycin, can shorten the contagious period to 5 days, but it will not shorten the length of time a person continues to cough afterwards, unless antibiotics are started very early on in the illness (before coughing fits begin).

Does the infection of pertussis make a person immune?

A pertussis infection usually provides immunity for many years, but immunity is usually not life-long. The duration of immunity after natural infection with B. pertussis is believed to wane after 4-20 years.

What are the complications associated with pertussis?

Pertussis can cause serious and sometimes life-threatening complications in infants and young children, especially those who are not fully vaccinated. In infants younger than one year of age who get pertussis, about half are hospitalized.

Complications of pertussis may include:

  • Pneumonia
  • Middle ear infection
  • Loss of appetite
  • Dehydration
  • Convulsions
  • Seizures
  • Encephalopathy (disease of the brain)
  • Apneic episodes (brief stopping of breathing)
  • Death (80% of deaths occur in children under one year of age)

Are there vaccines for pertussis?

Yes. The childhood vaccine for pertussis, DTaP, is given in combination with diphtheria and tetanus. Five doses are recommended: at 2, 4, 6, and 15-18 months of age, and a fifth dose between ages 4 and 6 years or by the time a child enters school.

One-time boosters (Tdap) are available for people ages 11 to 64 years. Tdap should also be given to 7-10 year olds who are not fully immunized against pertussis. All adults over 18 years old who have not previously received Tdap should receive a single dose  regardless of the interval since the last Td.

Women of child-bearing age should be re-vaccinated during each pregnancy, preferably after the 20th week of gestation and at least 2 weeks before the anticipated delivery.

What can be done to prevent the spread of pertussis?

  • The best control measure is maintaining the highest possible level of immunization in the community.

  • Anyone who comes into close contact with someone with pertussis should receive antibiotics to prevent infection and spread of the disease.

  • People who have or may have pertussis should stay away from young children and infants, as well as others, until day six after starting their antibiotics.

  • Practicing good respiratory etiquette is always recommended to prevent the spread of respiratory illnesses.

  • Stay home while sick and away from others.

  • If requested, use face masks provided in medical offices or clinic waiting rooms.

Communicable Disease Epidemiology for Health Care Providers
Communicable Disease Epidemiology for Health Care Providers

Working with providers on the incidence, distribution, and possible control of diseases, illnesses and other factors relating to health.

Click Here

Communicable Disease Epidemiology
Communicable Disease Epidemiology

Epidemiologists monitor, track, and respond to infectious disease in the community to prevent spread of illness.

Click Here

Early Support for Infants and Toddlers (ESIT)
Early Support for Infants and Toddlers (ESIT)

Early support for infants and toddlers who have disabilities or developmental delays. Families who have concerns about their child’s development can contact the program to receive assistance and information.

Click Here