Pertussis, commonly known as whooping cough, is a serious respiratory infection caused by the bacterium Bordetella pertussis. This highly contagious illness infects the airways and can affect individuals of all ages. While often associated with a distinctive “whooping” sound, symptoms vary, especially in infants and vaccinated individuals. Understanding its spread and necessary precautions is important for public health.
How Pertussis Spreads
Pertussis primarily spreads through respiratory droplets expelled when an infected person coughs, sneezes, or talks. These droplets travel short distances (3 to 6 feet) before falling. Transmission occurs when another person inhales these droplets or touches contaminated surfaces and then touches their own nose or mouth.
This classifies pertussis as a droplet-borne disease, distinct from airborne infections. Airborne transmission involves smaller particles that remain suspended in the air for longer periods and travel greater distances. While some sources refer to “aerosolized respiratory droplets,” studies have not documented sustained airborne transmission of pertussis. The infection is most contagious in its early stages, often before the characteristic severe coughing begins, making early recognition challenging.
Recommended Precautions
To prevent pertussis transmission, several public health and personal measures are recommended. Practicing good respiratory hygiene, such as covering the mouth and nose with a tissue when coughing or sneezing, helps contain infectious droplets. If a tissue is unavailable, cough or sneeze into your upper sleeve or elbow instead of your hands.
Frequent and thorough handwashing with soap and water for at least 20 seconds is an important precaution. When soap and water are not accessible, use an alcohol-based hand rub. Wearing a mask, particularly when sick or around vulnerable individuals, helps reduce droplet expulsion. Maintaining physical distance from others, especially when symptomatic, further minimizes droplet spread. Individuals diagnosed with pertussis should stay home from school or work until they complete at least five days of antibiotic treatment, or until three weeks after cough onset if untreated, to prevent further transmission.
Protecting Your Community
Vaccination is the most effective method for preventing pertussis and reducing its severity. Children receive the DTaP vaccine, which protects against diphtheria, tetanus, and pertussis. For adolescents, adults, and pregnant individuals, the Tdap booster vaccine is recommended. Pregnant women receiving the Tdap vaccine during their third trimester can pass protective antibodies to their newborns, offering protection during their first vulnerable months before full vaccination.
Early recognition and prompt medical attention are important if symptoms like a persistent cough develop, especially after exposure to someone with pertussis. While initial symptoms can resemble a common cold, a worsening cough, particularly with a “whooping” sound or difficulty breathing, warrants evaluation. If diagnosed, informing close contacts is important, as they may be advised to receive preventive antibiotics. Individual vaccination and adherence to precautions contribute to community immunity, protecting those most susceptible to severe outcomes, especially infants, who face the highest risk of hospitalization and life-threatening complications.