Overview of Pertussis (Whooping Cough)
Overview of Pertussis (Whooping Cough)
* Causative Agent *
Bordetella Pertussis
* Mode of Transmission *
Spread through respiratory droplets from infected individuals or carriers.
* Symptoms *
Pertussis can affect individuals of all ages.
Symptoms include acute respiratory disease with characteristic paroxysmal coughing.
*Fever is usually not severe.
* Prevention*
For Infants
Get the DTaP vaccine at 2, 4, and 6 months old.
Booster shots of DTaP at 15-18 months and again at 4-6 years old.
For Older Children
Get a Tdap booster shot at 11-12 years old.
For Adults
Get a Tdap or Td booster every 10 years.
If never vaccinated, get 2 doses of Tdap or Td vaccine 4 weeks apart, then a 3rd dose 6-12 months later.
* Important Note *
Adults should get the Tdap vaccine for their first dose to ensure they have at least one dose of Tdap in their vaccination series
