Pertussis is a respiratory illness commonly known as whooping cough and caused by the bacteria Bordetella pertussis. Whooping cough can be very serious, especially in infants.
About
Whooping cough is a very contagious disease only found in humans and spreads easily from person-to-person. When a person with whooping cough sneezes or coughs, they release small particles with the bacteria in them. Other people can then breathe in the bacteria.
People of all ages can get whooping cough, even people who are vaccinated or had the disease in the past. Whooping cough is most common in school-aged children and teenagers, but cases in adults also occur.
Infected people are most contagious for about two weeks after the cough begins. A person is contagious for 21 days after their cough begins or until they complete five days of antibiotics.
People can unknowingly spread the bacteria. Some people have mild symptoms and don't know they have whooping cough, but they can still spread the bacteria to others. Many babies who get whooping cough are infected by older siblings, parents, or caregivers who don't know they have it.
Symptoms
The first signs of whooping cough are similar to a common cold. These signs start 5 to 21 days after exposure. They include:
- Runny or stuffy nose
- Low-grade fever (less than 100.4°F)
- Mild cough
- Many babies with whooping cough don't cough at all. Instead, they may have apnea (life-threatening pauses in breathing). The apnea may cause cyanosis (to turn blue) or they may struggle to breathe.
After one or two weeks of illness, the cough gets worse with symptoms that may include:
- A sudden, uncontrollable cough where one cough follows the next without a break for breath.
- A high-pitched whooping sound when breathing in after a coughing episode. Whooping is less common in infants and people who are vaccinated.
- Vomiting or gagging after coughing.
- Exhaustion, or feeling very tired from coughing.
These coughing fits can last up to 10 weeks.
The symptoms of different respiratory illnesses can seem similar. View this chart to help distinguish between them.
Prevention
Get Vaccinated
- Vaccination is the best way to prevent whooping cough among babies, children, teens, and adults.
- The recommended whooping cough vaccine for babies and children is called DTaP. This is a combination vaccine that protects against diphtheria, tetanus, and pertussis (whooping cough).
- Vaccine protection from DTaP fades over time.
- A booster called Tdap is recommended for anyone age 7 and older. Tdap also protects against tetanus, diphtheria, and pertussis (whooping cough).
- Pregnant women should get Tdap during the 3rd trimester of every pregnancy to provide protection from whooping cough to the infant.
Stay Home When Sick
- Stay home and away from others if you feel sick. Staying home to rest when possible will help you get better and protect others from illness. If you are sick with a respiratory illness, consider wearing a mask around others to slow the spread of germs.
Cover Your Coughs and Sneezes
Covering your coughs and sneezes with a tissue or your elbow can lower the risk of spreading germs to other people.
Wash Your Hands Often
Handwashing with soap removes most germs, including respiratory viruses and bacteria, from your hands. If soap and water are not available, using a hand sanitizer with at least 60% alcohol can kill these germs.
Talk to your health care provider if you have signs or symptoms of pertussis or were in close contact with someone with pertussis.
Treatment
Early treatment with antibiotics is very important. Antibiotics may make your illness less serious if you start it early, before coughing fits begin. Antibiotics can also help prevent spreading the disease to close contacts (people who spend a lot of time around the infected person).
Whooping cough can sometimes be very serious and may require treatment in a hospital. Babies are at the greatest risk for serious complications. For more specific treatment guidelines, visit https://www.cdc.gov/pertussis/treatment/index.html.
Data and Publications
Resources
Resources for General Public
- Pertussis Fact Sheet (PDF) | (PDF) عربي | Français (PDF) | Lingala (PDF) | Português (PDF) | 中国人 (PDF) | Soomaali (PDF) | Español (PDF)
- Pertussis Versus Parapertussis Fact Sheet (PDF)
- Maine Immunization Program
- Pertussis Vaccine Information Statement (VIS)-Children
- Pertussis Vaccine Information Statement (VIS)-Adults
- US CDC Pertussis page
Immunization Resources
Resources for Health care Providers