 Highly contagious respiratory disease.  Caused by the bacterium bordetella pertussis.  One positive case in a home = a 90% to 100% chance other susceptible household members will catch it!  Uncontrollable, violent coughing  Deep breathes after coughing “fits” result in a "whooping" sound.

 A bacteria releases toxins in the lungs  damages the cilia and causes inflammation (swelling).  Usually spread by coughing or sneezing  Infants typically infected by older siblings, parents or caregivers  Many adults think they just have a lingering cough from a “cold”

 Usually develop within 7–10 days after exposure,  May be as long as 6 weeks!!  Early symptoms can last for 1 to 2 weeks and usually include:  Runny nose  Low-grade fever (generally minimal throughout the course of the disease)  Mild, occasional cough  Apnea — a pause in breathing (in infants)  Most Infectious during this time!!  Antibiotics may shorten the time of infectivity.

 Paroxysms (fits) of many, rapid coughs followed by a high-pitched "whoop"  Vomiting (throwing up)  Exhaustion (very tired) after coughing fits

 Nasopharyngeal Swab:  Small swab placed in nose

 Known as the “100 Day Cough”  Serious illness in children AND adults  May be life threatening in infants  Worldwide: Million cases of Pertussis and about 300,000 deaths annually  More than half of infants less than 1 year of age are hospitalized.  Vaccination:  Prevents the spread  Lessens the severity  Childhood vaccine wanes over time, after 5-10 years.

 57% must be hospitalized  1 in 4 (23%) get pneumonia (lung infection)  1 or 2 in 100 (1.6%) will have convulsions (violent, uncontrolled shaking)  Two thirds (67%) will have apnea (slowed or stopped breathing)  1 in 300 (0.4%) will have encephalopathy (disease of the brain)  1 or 2 in 100 (1.6%) WILL DIE

 Washington State – Current Epidemic  Approximately 2,900 cases this year  Typically less than 2oo/yr  North Carolina  December to June cases, in 23 counties  Alamance County cases alone!  126 cases reported statewide in 2011.

 Infant with Pertussis:

 VACCINATION with Tdap!!  Two or more weeks before coming into close contact with an infant  Families with and caregivers of new infants.  Keep infants and high risk individuals away from those who are infected.

 Any child 7–10 who did not complete the childhood DTaP vaccination series  Anyone 11 and older who has not yet received a Tdap booster  Adults should get a Tdap vaccine instead of the regular tetanus booster  Women who are pregnant (3 rd Trimester) or may become pregnant

 DTaP series is recommended for children:  2 months  4 months  6 months  months  4-6 years of age  Tdap booster should be given to children by 11 years of age

Thank You! Tammra L Morrison, RN Communicable Disease/Preparedness Coordinator Wilson County Health Department