Is this your child's symptom?
- 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.
When to Call for Whooping Cough Exposure
Call 911 Now
Call Doctor or Seek Care Now
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Contact Doctor Within 24 Hours
Contact Doctor During Office Hours
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Self Care at Home
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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