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Respiratory system overview

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Overview	Symptoms	Treatment	Prevention

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Pertussis

Alternative Names

Whooping cough

Prevention

A DTaP vaccine (diphtheria, tetanus, pertussis) or pertussis-only vaccine helps protect children against this disease. Vaccination starts in infancy.

During epidemics, unimmunized children under age 7 should be excused from school and public gatherings and isolated from anyone known or suspected to be infected. This should last until 14 days after the last reported case.

Pertussis immunization is not 100% effective. Furthermore, the effect of childhood immunization begins to wear off after about 5 years, which is why previously immunized teens and adults can get pertussis. In these cases, the symptoms are usually milder and less "classic".

During epidemics, health care workers, teens in school, or others with a high risk of exposure should consider a booster dose of the vaccine.

Review Date: 7/17/2004
Reviewed By: John Goldenring, M.D., MPH, Department of Pediatrics, Children's Hospital, San Diego, CA. Review provided by VeriMed Healthcare Network.

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