Pertussis (Whooping Cough)
What You Need to Know
Whooping cough — known medically as pertussis — is a very contagious disease caused
by a bacteria. It can cause serious illness in infants, children and adults. Infants
are most at risk, because they are too young to be fully vaccinated.
Symptoms
The disease starts like a common cold, but after one to two weeks, severe coughing
begins. Infants and children with the disease cough violently and rapidly, over
and over, until the air is gone from their lungs and they’re forced to inhale with
a loud "whooping" sound.
Pertussis is most severe for babies. More than half of infants less than 1 year
of age who get the disease must be hospitalized. About 1 in 20 infants with pertussis
get pneumonia (lung infection), and about 1 in 100 will have convulsions. In rare
cases, it can cause death.
How Pertussis Spreads
Whooping cough is most contagious before the coughing starts. People with pertussis
can spread the disease by coughing or sneezing while in close contact with others,
who then breathe in the pertussis bacteria. Many infants are infected by parents,
older siblings, or other caregivers who might not even know they have the disease.
Pertussis in California
Pertussis is now an epidemic in the state. There were 1,496 cases reported in the
first six months of this year, compared to 258 cases during the same period last
year. Five infants – all under three months of age – have died from the disease
since January. One death was in San Bernardino County this spring.
How to Prevent Pertussis
Parents can help protect very young infants by reducing contact with persons who
have cold symptoms or cough illness. However, the best way to prevent pertussis
is to get vaccinated. The childhood vaccine is called
DTaP. The whooping cough booster vaccine for adolescents and adults is called
Tdap. These
are safe and effective vaccines that protect against three diseases: whooping cough,
tetanus and diphtheria.
Pertussis vaccination begins at 2 months of age, but young infants won’t be protected
until the vaccine series of three shots is complete at 6 months of age. Vaccine
protection does not last a lifetime. The California Department of Public Health
recommends the pertussis booster vaccine (Tdap) for the following individuals:
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Anyone 7 years and older who is not fully immunized, including those who are more
than 64 years old,
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Women of childbearing age, before, during, or immediately after pregnancy, and
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Other people who have contact with pregnant women or infants.
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Adults that have contact with pregnant women or infants under 12 months of age,
are especially urged to get a single dose of the Tdap booster. This includes parents,
family members, child care workers, health care workers, and any others who haven’t
received this vaccine. Afterward, adults should get the standard Td (tetanus and
diphtheria) booster every ten years.
Pregnant women and fathers are advised to get vaccinated either before or immediately
after the birth of their baby. During pregnancy, women can get Tdap beginning in
the second trimester, but not before 12 weeks gestation.
Infants, children and teens are strongly encouraged to follow the
2010 Vaccination
Schedule, recommended by the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.
Talk to your health care provider about what’s best for your specific needs.
Public Health Clinics in San Bernardino County
Pertussis vaccine is available at all
clinic sites in the County. There is a $10 fee for the vaccine. To make
an appointment and get clinic schedules call
1 (800) 722-4777.
Resources for More Information
California Department of Public Health press release on July 19, 2010
“CDPH Broadens Recommendations
for Vaccinating Against Pertussis: Immunization key to Controlling Whooping Cough”
California Department of Public Health press release on June 23, 2010
“Whooping Cough Epidemic May Be
Worst in 50 Years”
California Department of Public Health
website with information about Pertussis
U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention
website with information about Pertussis
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