Pertussis Information

What is Pertussis? (Whooping Cough)

Pertussis (whooping cough) is an infection of the lungs. It starts 6-20 days after you are infected with a runny nose, sneezing and a cough. The cough gradually gets worse with coughing fits; 10-15 coughs in a row. Often, the cough comes on so quickly that there is no time to cover your mouth. The person may cough so much that they throw up. Young children may cough and as they try to get air into their lungs a “whoop” sound is heard. Very young babies may not cough, but instead turn blue and have a hard time breathing.

How is Pertussis Spread?

It is most commonly spread when the infected person coughs and the bacteria go into the air. Someone within 3 feet breathes in the bacteria that are coughed into the air. This bacteria needs to be in the warmth of your nose or lungs to survive and grow. You can also be infected if you touch the runny nose or wet tissues used by the infected person then put your hands to your eyes or nose. If it falls onto a desk or the floor and dries, it cannot infect anyone.

Prevention Practices:

Most children and many adults have had shots to help protect them from pertussis. Although the shots are good for this, they do not always keep you from getting the disease. When this happens you have a milder case of pertussis that looks like a cold with a cough that lasts longer.

Every time the laboratory test is positive for whooping cough, Iowa law requires the laboratory to tell the health department. The health department staff talks with the person or their parent to find out who has been around the person with pertussis since they started coughing. Then we can let those exposed to the infected person know what to do.

Antibiotics are recommended for the person with a laboratory-confirmed case and their household contacts. Close contacts, who are at high risk or who have contact with others who are at high risk, may need antibiotics too. Those at high risk include infants, women in their third trimester of pregnancy, and people with health conditions that get worse with pertussis.

For those who could have been easily infected (sit close to the infected person in the classroom, have had face to face contact or have been in car with them) antibiotics are recommended. For others who have not been so close and are less likely to have been infected, we recommend they call their doctor if they get cold-like symptoms and/or a cough.

The goal is to slow or stop the spread of this disease and prevent people from dying from it.

  • Vaccine Information:
    • Infants and Children: A vaccination called DTaP is recommended for infants to prevent against Diphtheria, Tetanus, and Pertussis. DTaP is shown to be safe and effective in preventing Pertussis, reducing the risk of severe illness that could lead to death among infants and children. It is recommended the children begin the series of immunizations at 2 months of age.
    • Adolescents and Adults: In recent years there has been an increase in Pertussis among the adolescent and adult age groups. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention has recommended the use of the Tdap (Tetanus, Diphtheria, and Pertussis) as a booster vaccine for Pertussis. The vaccine will help protect against Pertussis as well as reduce the risk of transmitting Pertussis to infants. The booster is recommended for all adults under the age of 65, healthcare workers who work in hospitals or ambulatory care settings and have direct patient contact, and anyone who is in contact with infants less than 12 months of age.
    • The Tdap can be used in place of the Td (Tetanus Diphtheria) booster if it has been at least 5 years since their last Td. This is ideal for teens as they generally come due for their booster around middle school age.
    • There are two Tdap vaccines available one is licensed for adolescents 10-18 years of age and one is licensed for individuals 11-64 years of age. The Health Department encourages you to inquire with your health care provider regarding the availability of the vaccine and vaccine requirements.
    • Scott County Health Department offers the Tdap to individuals meeting the Vaccine for Children (VFC) requirements and 10 to 18 years of age depending on the brand of vaccine used.

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Additional Pertussis Information: