How is pertussis spread cdc

Top of Page. This means you can still get pertussis and pass it onto others, including babies. A: Since the early s, there has been an overall trend of an increase in reported pertussis cases. Pertussis is naturally cyclic in nature, with peaks in disease every 3 to 5 years. But for the past few decades, peaks got higher and overall case counts went up. There are several reasons that could help explain why CDC is seeing more cases. These include:. The bacteria that cause pertussis are also always changing at a genetic level.

Research is underway to determine if any of the changes are having an impact on public health. However, the latest studies suggest that pertussis vaccines continue to be effective despite recent genetic changes. When it comes to waning immunity, it seems that the acellular pertussis vaccines DTaP and Tdap used now may not protect for as long as the whole cell vaccine DTP doctors used to use.

Whole cell pertussis vaccines are associated with higher rates of minor and temporary side effects such as fever and pain and swelling at the injection site. Serious neurologic adverse reactions, including chronic neurological problems, occurred rarely among children who had recently received whole cell vaccines. Studies have inconsistent results about whether the vaccine could cause chronic neurological problems. However, public concern in the United States and other countries led to a concerted effort to develop a vaccine with improved safety.

Due to these concerns, along with the availability of a safe and effective acellular vaccine, the United States switched to acellular pertussis vaccines DTaP. A: You can make sure you and your loved ones are up to date with recommended pertussis vaccines. There are two types of pertussis vaccines — DTaP for babies and young children and Tdap for preteens, teens, and adults. Getting vaccinated with Tdap during every pregnancy is especially important for women. Also, caregivers of babies should keep them away from anyone with cough or cold symptoms.

A: No, but those traveling to an area with a pertussis outbreak should make sure they are up to date on their pertussis vaccines. People who did not get all the recommended pertussis vaccines, including babies too young to be vaccinated, are putting themselves at risk for catching pertussis. However, their parents are putting them at greater risk of getting a serious pertussis infection and then possibly spreading it to other family or community members.

We often see people blaming pertussis outbreaks on people coming to the United States from other countries. This is not the case. Plus, every country vaccinates against pertussis. Pertussis is a very contagious disease only found in humans. Pertussis spreads from person to person. People with pertussis usually spread the disease to another person by coughing or sneezing or when spending a lot of time near one another where you share breathing space.

Many babies who get pertussis are infected by older siblings, parents, or caregivers who might not even know they have the disease. Infected people are most contagious up to about 2 weeks after the cough begins. Antibiotics may shorten the amount of time someone is contagious. Like many respiratory illnesses, pertussis spreads by coughing and sneezing while in close contact with others, who then breathe in the bacteria.

CDC recommends practicing good hygiene to prevent the spread of respiratory illnesses. To practice good hygiene you should:. Duration of immunity against pertussis after natural infection or vaccination external icon. Pediatr Infect Dis J. Skip directly to site content Skip directly to page options Skip directly to A-Z link. Pertussis Whooping Cough. Section Navigation.

Infants and young children are particularly vulnerable to severe complications from whooping cough. You can help to prevent whooping cough by making sure that you and your child stay up to date on your recommended vaccinations.

If you suspect that you or your child has been exposed to whooping cough, contact your doctor. Additionally, frequent hand-washing and practicing good hygiene can help prevent the spread of many infectious diseases, including whooping cough.

Tdap and DTaP are two vaccines that both protect against three diseases: Tetanus, diphtheria, and pertussis, also known as whooping cough. Learn more…. What may seem like a normal cold to you could actually be whooping cough. Learn why you can still get this contagious disease, even if you were…. Learn more about the Tdap vaccine. Health Conditions Discover Plan Connect.

Medically reviewed by Karen Gill, M. How serious it is. Symptoms of infection. What happens if you do get it? The takeaway.