What is pertussis, and how is it spread?
Pertussis, or whooping cough, is a contagious, bacterial disease. The germs that cause pertussis are spread through the air when an infected person sneezes, coughs, or talks. Other people in close proximity then inhale the germs. The first symptoms usually appear 7-14 days after a person is exposed, although some people do not start to cough for up to 21 days after their last exposure. Pertussis is commonly spread within families and among other close contacts.

What are the symptoms?
Pertussis usually begins with cold-like symptoms, with a runny nose, sneezing, and mild cough. This initial illness is similar to a minor upper respiratory infection. The cough gradually gets worse over 1 to 2 weeks, progressing to severe coughing spells, often followed by gagging or vomiting. Vaccinated children, adolescents and adults often have milder symptoms, resembling bronchitis or asthma, that frequently are not recognized as pertussis. However, the disease can cause serious illness in very young children and infants.

How can pertussis be prevented?
Protection against pertussis from childhood DTP (diphtheria-tetanus-pertussis) shots usually wears off by the age of 11 or 12 years, leaving most adolescents and adults susceptible to infection. Because the vaccine is only about 80% effective, even some recently immunized children can catch pertussis. Appropriate antibiotics may prevent infection in close contacts of cases and thereby prevent spread of disease.

What Should I do?
Observe for a cough that gets progressively worse after the first few days. If you or your child develop a severe, choking cough, call your doctor. If the physician thinks you or your child may have pertussis, you or your child should stay away from others until completion of the first 5 day of a course of antibiotics. Laboratory culture for B.pertussis is requested, but a negative result does not rule out pertussis. Preventative antibiotic treatment is recommended for household members and other close contacts of diagnosed cases.

Within the last several weeks, the FDA approved pertussis booster vaccines for both adolescents (ages 10-18 years) and adolescents/adults (ages 11-64 years). These vaccines will greatly enhance our ability to prevent and control pertussis. We anticipate that guidelines for use of these vaccines will be available soon. Please contact your primary physician or your local health clinic regarding the booster vaccines.

For more information , please call the Public Health Department at (408) 885-4214 and ask to speak with Beth Davis, public health nurse.

Information from: County of Santa Clara Public Health Department Disease Prevention and Control

Linda Lenoir, District Nurse, R.N., MSN

If you have questions, contact Health Services at (650) 329-3766 or health@pausd.org.