If all childhood immunizations are not current or complete, parents should take their children to see their doctor and start their immunizations. Additionally, doctors should be aware of this pertussis activity and take appropriate measures if patients show symptoms of the illness. Pertussis is a highly contagious disease of the respiratory tract and can be very serious in infants and children of preschool age. The symptoms are generally much milder in adults and adolescents, and in children who have been completely immunized.
Symptoms usually start within seven to ten days after exposure.
Complications of severe illness include pneumonia and encephalopathy, which can be fatal. The cough may gradually worsen over the next two weeks and the ill person may experience violent fits of coughing. The coughing can be prolonged and severe enough that the patient has difficulty in catching their breath. Pertussis is treated with a two week course of antibiotics. All household and close contacts of a person with pertussis should also take the medicine to keep from getting or spreading the disease to others.