Pertussis (whooping cough)

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What is it?

Pertussis is an infection in the airways caused by bacteria.

Signs and symptoms

Symptoms start as a common cold with:
Sneezing, runny nose, mild fever and a mild cough
The cough gets progressively worse.
The cough is severe, repeated and forceful. The coughing periods are often followed by vomiting and/or a whoop sound before the next breath.
The cough can last many months and is more common at night.
Pertussis can cause pneumonia, seizures, brain damage or death.

How is it spread?

It is spread by breathing the air of a person who has the bacteria.
It can be spread by touching saliva or mucus of a person who has the bacteria.
Without medicine, Pertussis can be shared a few days before a person has a cough and up to three weeks after the cough starts.
A person with pertussis will be given antibiotics. Household members may be given antibiotics depending on the assessment completed by your Health Care Provider.
An infected child should not return to school until they have taken antibiotics for 5 days and feel well enough to return.

How to Decrease the Spread?

The best way to protect yourself and others is to be vaccinated. Some people who have been vaccinated may still get pertussis but is a milder form of the disease than those who have not been vaccinated.
Wash your hands often. Avoid your touching face, nose and eyes.
Use good coughing technique by coughing into your sleeve.

Pregnant women:
Pregnant women in their third trimester and infants under one are at the highest risk of complications and should be treated with antibiotics. Call your Health Care Provider.

Recommended Absence

5 days after treatment with appropriate antibiotics

If untreated, approximately 3 weeks

Pertussis must be reported to the Medical Officer of Health as required by the Health Promotion and Protection Act.