Pertussis, also known as whooping cough, is a highly contagious and potentially very serious lung illness caused by bacteria. It spreads easily through the air from person to person when an infected person coughs or sneezes. Infected individuals are most contagious for up to two weeks after the cough begins.
The illness can affect people of all ages, but can be very serious, even deadly, for babies less than a year old. Getting vaccinated is best way to protect yourself and others (e.g. babies, persons with compromised immune systems) against pertussis or reduce its severity if you become infected.
What are the symptoms of pertussis?
Complications in adults
Treatment
Prevention, including whether you need another vaccine
How to get the vaccine
Are you at risk right now of getting pertussis?
Actions to take if you're currently at risk
Resources
Early illness
Symptoms usually appear 7 to 10 days after exposure. The disease typically starts with cold-like symptoms that last from 1 to 2 weeks and may include:
Because pertussis in its early stages seems much like the common cold, it is often not suspected or diagnosed until more severe symptoms appear.
Later illness
After 1 to 2 weeks and as the disease progresses, the more “traditional” symptoms of pertussis may appear and include:
NOTE: The “whoop” is not often there for people with a less serious case of the disease, such as teens and adults, especially if they've been vaccinated. (See prevention below) Hear how the cough may sound in those with more serious disease.
Coughing episodes generally become more frequent and worse as the illness continues and may occur more often at night. Coughing episodes may occur for up to 10 weeks or more.
People who have been vaccinated, but still get pertussis, usually experience shorter duration of the cough and less frequent coughing fits.
Check your immunization records, and consider getting the Tdap vaccine if you need one. UT students can call the UHS Allergy, Immunization, and Travel Clinic at (512) 475-8301 to schedule an appointment. Faculty/staff can contact their primary care provider or go to a local pharmacy that provides vaccines and is in network with their insurance.
If you have symptoms of pertussis, seek medical care. Students should call the UHS Appointments Line at (512) 471-4955 (M – F 8am – 5pm) or the UHS Nurse Advice Line at (512) 475-6877 (NURS) BEFORE COMING TO UHS. We will arrange to care for you while reducing the risk of exposing other patients.
If you don't feel sick and have been vaccinated for pertussis (received a Tdap, Adacel or Boostrix vaccine at or since age 11), your risk of infection is low. No action is needed. However, if you start to experience symptoms, seek medical care as outlined above.
If you don't feel sick and are not sure if you have been vaccinated against pertussis, review your immunization records first. If you have documentation of receiving a pertussis booster vaccine (Tdap, Adacel or Boostrix) at or since age 11, no action is needed. If you're still uncertain, call the UHS Allergy, Immunization, and Travel Clinic at (512) 475-8301 to schedule an appointment to get the Tdap vaccine.
If you don't feel sick but would like to find out whether you should get a preventative treatment (based on current recommendations from the CDC) that could reduce your chance of getting pertussis, call the UHS Nurse Advice Line at (512) 475-6877 (NURS).
For faculty and staff:
If you have pertussis symptoms or have questions about your vaccine status, call your primary care provider. The CDC recommends one Tdap booster as an adult. If you have already received a Tdap vaccine, your pertussis vaccination status is current. The UT Select medical insurance plan for staff and faculty provides 100% coverage with zero co-pay or deductible for recommended vaccines. Many local pharmacies are in-network with UT Select and offer vaccine services on a walk-in basis. For information about UT Select preventative health services, visit the UT Select Living Well site.
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