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Houston
Department of Health and Human Services > Epidemiology
and Disease Reporting > Epidemiology
Corner > Pertussis
Epidemiology
Corner
August
26, 2005
Pertussis
Pertussis (also known as whooping cough) is an acute bacterial
disease involving the respiratory tract. The disease is caused
by Bordetella pertussis, a bacterium that lives in the nose,
mouth and throat of infected individuals. According to CDC,
5000-7000 cases are reported in the United States each year.
Incidence of pertussis has increased steadily since the 1980s.
The incidence in 2002 was 3.01/100,000 when 8,296 cases of
pertussis were reported. Pertussis has no distinct seasonal
pattern, but increases are seen in the summer and fall.
Symptoms start like a common cold with runny nose, sneezing,
mild fever and cough that slowly gets worse. People often
develop coughing fits especially at night. There may be a
high-pitched whoop sound after the coughing fits. The whoop is a
sign that the person is struggling to breath between episodes of
cough. Pertussis is very contagious and can easily spread
through the air from a sick person during talking, sneezing or
coughing.
Children who are too young to be fully vaccinated and those who
have not completed the primary vaccination series are at highest
risk for severe illness. Pertussis is highly contagious with up
to 90% of susceptible household contacts developing clinical
disease following exposure to someone with the disease.
Evaluation of contacts with symptoms of acute coughing is highly
recommended.
The pertussis vaccine provides immunity that lasts between 5 to
10 years after the last dose of the vaccine. Adolescents and
adults become susceptible when immunity wanes.
Prevention activities:
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Vaccinate all infants against pertussis. It is included with
diphtheria and tetanus vaccine (DTaP). The vaccine is given in 5
doses at 2, 4, 6, 15-18months and 4-6 years.
-
Keep children, especially infants, away from people who are
coughing.
-
Prophylax all household members and close contacts of a
confirmed case with antibiotics.
For more
information on Pertussis visit the CDC website at
www.cdc.gov/doc.do/id/0900f3ec80228696
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