Whooping Cough Exposure

• Close contact with someone who has Whooping Cough (pertussis).
• Close contact means living in the same house with the infected person. It also includes close physical contact such as having a kissing relationship.
• Your child has NO symptoms of whooping cough (cough, runny nose).

Whooping Cough Exposure (Close Contact): Definition

• Being near an infected person puts you at risk for getting whooping cough. Examples of close contact are:
• Living in the same house. Household contacts have the highest risk of catching whooping cough.
• For young children, being in the same childcare room or carpool.
• Sharing eating utensils or drinking glasses.
• Face-to-face contact such as kissing or hugging.
• Being coughed or sneezed on.
• Having prolonged close conversation (within 6 feet) of an infected person

Whooping Cough Symptoms

• Starts with a runny nose and a dry cough. Looks just like a viral cold. No fever. Lasts 1 to 2 weeks.
• Then the cough worsens. During coughing spells the child looks like he is choking. Each coughing spell lasts 1 to 2 minutes.
• About half of coughing spells end with a "whoop", a deep gasping sound heard when breathing in.
• This whooping sound is more common in children than adults.
• Cough lasts for 1 to 2 months.

Whooping Cough Vaccine Schedule

• The AAP recommends giving DTaP vaccine to prevent whooping cough at the following ages:
• 2, 4 and 6 months: dosages 1, 2 and 3 (gives 65% protection).
• 15 to 18 months: 4th dose (gives 80% protection).
• 4 to 6 years: 5th dose (gives 85% protection).
• 11 to 12 years: 6th dose using Tdap.
• Pregnant women get a booster dose during the last trimester to help protect their newborn. Whooping cough infections in babies are usually severe.

Call 911 Now

• Severe trouble breathing (struggling for each breath; can barely speak or cry)

Call Doctor or Seek Care Now

• Trouble breathing, but not severe
• Lips or face have turned bluish during coughing spasms
• Age less than 1 year old, and coughing occurs within 21 days of whooping cough EXPOSURE
• Your child looks or acts very sick

Contact Doctor Within 24 Hours

• Coughing occurs and within 21 days of whooping cough EXPOSURE
• Runny nose occurs and within 21 days of whooping cough EXPOSURE
• Lives in same household or has been in close contact with someone who has whooping cough and NO symptoms. Reason: true exposure has occurred.
• You think your child needs to be seen, but the problem is not urgent

Contact Doctor During Office Hours

• You are not vaccinated against whooping cough
• Your whooping cough vaccines are not up-to-date
• Your whooping cough vaccines are up-to-date. Reason: may still need antibiotics
• You have other questions or concerns

Self Care at Home

• Whooping cough exposure more than 21 days ago and no whooping cough symptoms. Reason: no longer at risk for infection.
• Minor Contact (such as same school) but NO true EXPOSURE (close contact) and NO whooping cough symptoms. Reason: safe exposure.

Care Advice for Whooping Cough Exposure

Treatment for Close Contacts Without Symptoms

What You Should Know About Whooping Cough Exposure:

• Your child has been exposed to someone with whooping cough.
• Keeping your child's vaccines up-to-date always gives your child the best protection.
• In any case, try to avoid further exposure to people with whooping cough.
• Here is some care advice that should help.

If Your Whooping Cough Vaccines are Not Up-to-Date, You Need a Booster Vaccine

• See AAP vaccine schedule to see if your child is up-to-date.
• If not, a booster will improve your child's protection.
• And if your child does get it, the symptoms should be much milder than without the vaccine.
• Call for a vaccine appointment.

If Your Whooping Cough Vaccines Are Up-to-Date

• If you are vaccinated and you get infected, the symptoms should be much milder.
• They should also go away sooner than without the vaccine.

Regardless of Vaccine Status, Talk With Your Doctor About Antibiotics

• Antibiotics are usually advised for all close contacts, regardless of vaccination status.
• Close contacts include household and childcare contacts.
• If you are a high-risk person and had an uncertain exposure, talk with your doctor about your need for antibiotics.
• Here are some examples of high-risk people:
• Infants age less than 1 year of age.
• Pregnant women in their third trimester.
• Underlying chronic illness (such as weak immune system, chronic lung disease)
• Person in close contact with infants.

Return to School:

• Children with a close contact whooping cough exposure need to stay out of school for 21 days after last contact. Reason: to monitor for symptoms.
• If they have been prescribed an antibiotic, they can return after 5 days of antibiotics.
• Discuss with your child's doctor.

Call Your Doctor If:

• Runny nose or cough occurs in the 21 days following exposure
• You think your child needs to be seen
• You have other questions or concerns