REPORT THIS DISEASE TO COBB & DOUGLAS PUBLIC HEALTH IMMEDIATELY
AT: 770-524-2432

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WHAT IS IT?

Pertussis, (whooping cough) is a highly contagious respiratory bacterial disease. 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.  Whooping cough is known for uncontrollable, violent coughing which can make breathing very difficult.

WHAT ARE THE SYMPTOMS?

First 1-2 Weeks

  • Runny nose
  • Low-grade fever
  • Coughing

After

  • Paroxysms fits of coughs
  • Vomiting
  • Exhaustion

In Babies

  • Apnea (Trouble breathing)
  • Blue/purple skin

Whooping cough usually lasts 10 weeks. A person is contagious from 1 to 21 days after the cough begins. Whooping cough can be very serious for babies less than a year old. In about 50% of cases of babies less than a year, they may need to be hospitalized to help relieve the symptoms.