Whooping cough
(pertussis)

Description
Whooping cough is a highly contagious bacterial disease. The illness may begin with cold-like symptoms which progress to a cough, or the child may simply begin coughing. After several days, severe coughing fits may cause the child to vomit after coughing or to lose their breath. Sometimes a high-pitched crowing (the whoop) is heard when inhaling. The coughing can last 1-3 months. Whooping cough is particularly serious in children under 2 years of age and hospitalisation is usually necessary. Whooping cough is transmitted by direct contact with droplets from the nose and throat of an infected person.


Incubation Period
Commonly 7-10 days and not more than 21 days.


Infectious Period
Highly contagious in the early stages. The child is no longer infectious to others five days after starting antibiotic treatment with erythromycin.


Controlling the Spread of Infection
Exclude the child until well and until five days after starting antibiotic treatment. Check the immunisation records for every child who has contact with the child with whooping cough. Look for evidence of vaccination with the DTP vaccine at 2, 4, 6, and 18 months of age. The "P" in the vaccine is for pertussis which is whooping cough. Children who have received CDT at any of these times have not been vaccinated against whooping cough. For each child who has not had 4 doses of this vaccine ask the parents to take their child to the doctor and give parents a letter stating that this child has been in contact with another child with whooping cough. Exclude unimmunised close (child care) contacts until they have had five days of antibiotics. This will be any children who have been in contact with the child with whooping cough and who have not received any doses of the DTP vaccine. If these children do not take antibiotics they must be excluded until 14 days after their last exposure to a case of whooping cough in the centre. Exclude unimmunised household contacts under 7 years of age, such as brothers and sisters, until they have had five days of a 7 day course of antibiotics. If they do not take antibiotics they must be excluded for 14 days after their last exposure to a case of whooping cough in the centre.


Treatment
Antibiotics may be given to shorten the period of contagiousness of a child with whooping cough. However, these do not lessen the severity or duration of the illness. Fully immunised communities offer the best protection against whooping cough. Erythromycin may be given to friends and people in close contact with the disease.


Comments
Protection from whooping cough is best achieved through adequate immunisation with DTP (triple antigen) vaccine starting at age 2 months. Adults and teenagers are susceptible to the illness as well and may carry the bacteria while exhibiting only mild symptoms.

Disclaimer
The information contained in this website is intended as a guide only. Wollongong Medical Centre is not liable for any problems that may arise from incorrectly or otherwise applying information found in this website.


Further General Information

The following web site has information on infectious diseases: www.health.nsw.gov.au/infect/ or contact the Division of Population and Planning on 4255-2200.

For information on a large range of medical conditions and problems visit www.mayoclinic.com