Smileband health topics

Pertussis or whooping cough is a highly contagious respiratory disease that is caused by the bacteria Bordetella pertussis.

 

The disease generally goes through three stages: catarrhal stage, paroxysmal stage, and convalescent stage. In the catarrhal stage, the individual has a runny nose, mild cough and low-grade fever which usually lasts 1-2 week. This is when the individual is the most contagious. The paroxysmal stage is when the paroxysms and posttussive vomiting can occur. This can last 1-6 weeks. The convalescent stage is when coughing lessens and the individual begins to recover gradually.

 

In Arizona, there has been a general increase in the number of pertussis cases reported each year.

 

Arizona 5 year median: 580 cases

 

Transmission
Pertussis is transmitted person to person by contact with aerosolized droplets from an infected person.

The incubation period is 7-10 days with a range of 5 to 21 days.

Lab Tests & Specimen Info

Test*	Specimen
Culture (Culture is not as likely to be positive if > 2 weeks since cough onset)	NP Swab (synthetic swabs only)
PCR (PCR is not as likely to be positive if > 4 weeks since cough onset)	NP Swab (synthetic swab on

  Isolation Precautions

Standard and droplet precautions are recommended for 5 days after initiation of therapy or until 3 weeks after cough onset.

Prevention for Patients
Vaccination is the best prevention method. Tdap vaccine is recommended for pregnant women during their third trimester to help protect the infant. Also, it is recommended for anyone who will be caring for the infant to also have a Tdap vaccine.

Public Health Actions
Untreated individuals should be excluded from school or childcare for 3 weeks following the onset of a cough and treated individuals should be excluded until 5 days of antibiotic treatment is completed. 

Public health will conduct an epidemiological investigation on a case or suspect case.