However, the only way to be sure is to see if the lab can grow the germs from the mucus sample. There is also a blood test, but it can only be used after someone has been sick for a few weeks. The State Laboratory Institute in Boston does these tests for free when asked by a doctor or a board of health. The main treatment is plenty of rest and fluids. Oxygen, medicine to help the patient breathe, and mild sedatives are sometimes needed to help control severe coughing spells.
Antibiotics can make the disease milder if they are started early enough.
Anyone who has been exposed to pertussis should see a doctor for antibiotics to prevent the disease, even if they were vaccinated. For children younger than 7 years old, vaccination is the best way to protect against pertussis. Pertussis vaccine is given with diphtheria and tetanus vaccines in the same shot. Both kinds of shots work very well to prevent all three diseases. Right now, there aren t any vaccines against pertussis for people 7 years old or older.