The germs are spread through the air when a person coughs. This infectious period can be reduced to five days with antibiotic treatment. It will take 7-14 days to come down with pertussis after coming in contact with someone who has it. Pertussis can be prevented with a vaccine. All children should be vaccinated.
Adults can also get pertussis.
An adult may not develop as severe a disease as children, but can still spread the infection to children and other adults. Inadequately immunized household contacts less than 7 years old should be excluded from school, daycare or gatherings for 14 days after the last exposure or until the case and contacts have received 5 days of antibiotics. Know the signs of pertussis. If a case is identified in your child's day nursery or school, watch your child for symptoms. If no treatment is taken, your child must be excluded for three weeks.