Pertussis
Pertussis, or whooping cough, is a highly contagious bacterial illness spread via airborne droplets from the respiratory tract of an infected person. The best way to prevent pertussis is for all children to be fully vaccinated with DTaP and for adolescents and adults to receive a Tdap booster vaccine.
Pertussis Information for Healthcare Professionals
Pertussis Information for Schools and Childcare
Pertussis Basics
General information about pertussis including disease description, complications, treatment and prevention.
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Pertussis
(Whooping Cough)
Fact sheet with general information about pertussis, including symptoms, complications, tests, vaccination and treatment. - About Pertussis
General information from the CDC about pertussis, including transmission, symptoms, diagnosis and treatment. Also includes photos and kid-friendly fact sheet.
Reporting
- Reporting Pertussis
All suspect cases of pertussis should be reported to the Georgia Department of Public Health immediately. Find out more about what needs to be reported, who needs to report diseases, which forms to use and where to find out more about the disease.
Vaccine Information
- Pertussis Vaccine Information Statement (VIS)
CDC Vaccine Information Statement: includes a description of the disease, who should get the vaccine and when, who should not be vaccinated, and potential side effects. - DTaP: Diphtheria, Tetanus, and Pertussis Vaccines: What You Need to Know
- Tdap: Tetanus, Diphtheria (Td) or Tetanus, Diphtheria, Pertussis (Tdap) Vaccine: What You Need to Know
Pertussis Information for Health Professionals
Information on pertussis for health professionals, including clinical features and epidemiology, how to report cases, vaccine information, and official recommendations.
Clinical Features and Epidemiology
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Pertussis
Basics
General information about pertussis including disease description, complications, treatment and prevention. - Manual for the Surveillance of Vaccine-Preventable Disease, October 29, 2024
Pertussis chapter in the CDC’s Manual for the Surveillance of Vaccine-Preventable Diseases.
Pertussis Laboratory Testing
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Pertussis
Specimen Collection and Submission Guidelines
Laboratory testing for pertussis is recommended for confirmation through culture and polymerase chain reaction (PCR) testing. Specimens should be collected from patients suspected of having pertussis as early as possible (preferably in the first 2-3 weeks following cough onset) - Pertussis Specimen Collection Video
This video demonstrates proper technique for collecting and shipping a pertussis clinical specimen obtained by swabbing the posterior nasopharynx. - Best Practices for Polymerase Chain Reaction
Information for health care professionals on the use of polymerase chain reaction (PCR) for diagnosing pertussis.
Pertussis Treatment and Prophylaxis
- Treatment
Early treatment of pertussis is very important. Health professionals should strongly consider treating prior to test results if clinical history is strongly suggestive or patient is at risk for severe or complicated disease (e.g. infants). - Recommended Antimicrobial Agents for Treatment
Recommendations for the treatment of suspect pertussis patients. - Postexposure Antimicrobial Prophylaxis Recommendations
Recommendations for who should receive postexposure antimicrobial prophylaxis.
Reporting
- Reporting Pertussis
All suspect cases of pertussis should be reported to the Georgia Department of Public Health immediately. Find out more about what needs to be reported, who needs to report diseases, which forms to use and where to find out more about the disease.
Patient Resources
Pertussis Fact Sheets
Vaccine Information
- Pertussis Vaccine Information Statement (VIS)
CDC Vaccine Information Statement: includes a description of the disease, who should get the vaccine and when, who should not be vaccinated, and potential side effects. - DTaP: Diphtheria, Tetanus, and Pertussis Vaccines: What You Need to Know
- Tdap: Tetanus, Diphtheria (Td) or Tetanus, Diphtheria, Pertussis (Tdap) Vaccine: What You Need to Know
- Tdap Vaccine Recommendations
Recommendations for adolescents, adults, and pregnant women from the Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices (ACIP) and related MMWR publications.
Pertussis Information for Schools and Child Care
Information on pertussis for school health personnel and child care settings.
Reporting
- Reporting Pertussis
All suspect cases of pertussis should be reported to the Georgia Department of Public Health immediately. Find out more about what needs to be reported, who needs to report diseases, which forms to use and where to find out more about the disease.
Page last updated 4/17/2026