Pertussis, Adult

Pertussis, also called whooping cough, is an infection that causes severe and sudden coughing attacks. Symptoms of pertussis can last for up to 6 weeks, even though the cough starts to get better. It may take as long as 6 months for the cough to go away completely.

Pertussis is contagious. This means that it spreads easily from person to person. It spreads through the droplets that are sprayed in the air when an infected person talks, coughs, or sneezes.

What are the causes?

• Inhales droplets that have been sprayed in the air by an infected person.
• Touches a surface where the droplets fell and then touches his or her mouth or nose.

What increases the risk?

• Being in larger groups of people, crowds, or closed-in public areas.
• Touching your mouth, eyes, or nose without first washing or sanitizing your hands.
• Being an adult who was never vaccinated.

What are the signs or symptoms?

• A runny nose.
• Low fever.
• Mild cough.
• Red, watery eyes.

These symptoms develop at the beginning of the infection. After 1–2 weeks, the cold symptoms get better, but the cough worsens, and severe and sudden coughing attacks frequently develop. During these attacks, people may cough so hard that vomiting occurs.

How is this diagnosed?

• A physical exam.
• Lab tests of mucus from the nose and throat.
• A blood test.
• A chest X-ray.

How is this treated?

• Shorten the illness and make it less contagious, if started right away.
• Be prescribed for everyone in the household.

Mild coughing may continue for months after the infection is treated. This coughing may be due to the remaining soreness and inflammation in the lungs.

Follow these instructions at home:

Medicines

• Take over-the-counter and prescription medicines only as told by your health care provider.
• Take your antibiotic medicine as told by your health care provider. Do not stop taking the antibiotic even if you start to feel better.
• Do not take cough medicine unless told by your health care provider.

If you have a coughing attack:

• Raise (elevate) the head of your mattress or raise your head with pillows. This will:
  • Improve breathing.
  • Make it easier to clear out mucus from your lungs (sputum).
• Sit upright.
• Avoid substances that may irritate the lungs, such as smoke, aerosols, or fumes. These may make your coughing worse.
• Use a humidifier at home to increase air moisture. This will soothe your cough and help to loosen sputum. Do not use steam.

Prevent the spread of infection

• For the first 5 days of antibiotic treatment, stay away from those who are at risk of developing pertussis.
• Do not go to work until you have been treated with antibiotics for 5 days. Tell your workplace that you were diagnosed with pertussis.
• If no antibiotics are prescribed, stay at home for the first 3 weeks that you are coughing or as told by your health care provider.
• You and everyone in your household should wash hands often to avoid spreading the infection. If soap and water are not available, use hand sanitizer.
• Immunization may be recommended for people in the household who are at risk of developing pertussis. At-risk groups include:
  • Infants.
  • People who have not had all of their pertussis immunizations. They should check with their health care providers.
  • People who were immunized but have not had their recent booster shots. They should check with their health care providers.

General instructions

• Rest as much as possible. Slowly go back to your normal activities as told by your health care provider.
• Drink enough fluid to keep your urine pale yellow.
• Keep all follow-up visits. This is important.

How is this prevented?

• Pertussis can be prevented with a vaccine and later booster shots.
• The pertussis vaccine is given during childhood.
• If you are an adult who was never vaccinated, get vaccinated as soon as possible.
• If you are an adult who was previously vaccinated, talk with your health care provider about the need for a booster shot because immunity from the vaccine decreases over time.
• All of the following people should consider receiving a booster dose of pertussis:
  • Pregnant women (in the third trimester of pregnancy).
  • Everyone who has or will have close contact with an infant who is less than 12 months old.
  • All health care personnel.

Contact a health care provider if:

• You cannot stop vomiting or are unable to eat or drink.
• Your cough does not improve.
• You have a fever.
• You are restless or cannot sleep.
• You have signs of dehydration, such as:
  • Dark urine, very little urine, or no urine.
  • Cracked lips and dry mouth.
  • Sunken eyes.
  • Sleepiness.
  • Weakness.

Get help right away if:

• Your face turns red or blue during a coughing attack.
• You pass out after a coughing attack, even if only for a few moments.
• Your breathing stops for a period of time (apnea).
• You feel sluggish or you are sleeping too much.

These symptoms may represent a serious problem that is an emergency. Do not wait to see if the symptoms will go away. Get medical help right away. Call your local emergency services (911 in the U.S.). Do not drive yourself to the hospital.

Summary

• Pertussis, also called whooping cough, is an infection that causes severe and sudden coughing attacks.
• Pertussis is contagious.
• Take antibiotic medicine, over-the-counter medicines, and prescription medicines only as told by your health care provider.
• Get help right away if your breathing stops for a period of time (apnea).
• Keep all follow-up visits. This is important.