Pertussis (Whooping Cough)
Pertussis (whooping cough) is a respiratory tract infection caused by the bacterium, Bordetella pertussis. Before the advent of the pertussis vaccine, pertussis was a leading cause of morbidity and mortality in children. Pertussis routinely occurs in Nebraska, although undoubtedly it is underreported as many infections in older children and adults are not recognized.
Symptoms of Pertussis
Classic pertussis infections have three distinct phases of illness. Symptoms may begin 6-20 days following exposure to the pertussis bacteria.
Stage 1; the catarrhal stage
Symptoms:
- sinus congestion
- runny nose
- slight sore throat
- low grade or absent fever
This stage last one to two weeks.
Stage 2; the paroxysmal stage
Symptoms:
The coughing progressively becomes more severe. Coughs may become severe in a series so close together that the person cannot take a breath between coughs. Following the coughing spells, there are gasps for air which may sound like a whoop. Vomiting may follow the coughing spells
This stage may last two to four weeks.
Stage 3; the convalescent stage
This is the stage when the vomiting and whooping gradually lessen.
This stage may last two to four weeks.
The illness in adults is often milder and without the whooping and vomiting.
Treatment of Pertussis
Antibiotics appear to be useful in shortening the illness if given during the catarrhal stage. Azithromycin and Clarithromycin are now considered the drug of choice for treating Pertussis. After the catarrhal stage, antibiotics cannot shorten the duration of the illness, but do reduce the amount of time an infected person can transmit the pertussis bacteria to others.
Prevention of Pertussis
A person is considered communicable until five days of appropriate antibiotic therapy have been completed.
An infected person should be excluded from day care, school and/or work for five days after beginning antibiotic treatment. If treatment is refused or the diagnosis is delayed, exclusion for three weeks after onset of the violent coughing.
The most cost-effective mode of pertussis prevention is timely vaccination of children. The vaccine is not effective in people older than seven years. Also, the protection from vaccination lasts for 10 - 12 years, meaning virtually all older adolescents and adults are susceptible. There are now two vaccines approved for adolescents and adults. These have been combined with the tetanus booster that is recommended every ten years.
Health Care Provider Information
More Information
Local Statistics
- Current Douglas County Pertussis Statistics (Confirmed, Probable, and Suspect Cases)
- Cases by Month of Onset
- Cases by Week of Report
- Cases by Age Group
- Cases by Age Less Than 7 years
- Cases by Gender
- Cases by Race/Ethnicity
- Cases that were Hospitalized
- Cases Hospitalized by Age Group
- Cases Reported by Year Since 1915
- Cases Reported by Year Since 1950
- Cases Reported by Year Since 1980
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