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 Basics

Pertussis Information for Healthcare Professionals

Pertussis Information for Schools and Childcare

Pertussis Statistics

Pertussis Basics

General information about pertussis including disease description, complications, treatment and prevention.

  • Download this pdf file. 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.

Pertussis Fact Sheets

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.

 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

  • Download this pdf file. Pertussis Basics
    General information about pertussis including disease description, complications, treatment and prevention.

Pertussis Laboratory Testing

  • Pertussis Specimen Collection Video - AVAILABLE SOON!
    This video demonstrates proper technique for collecting and shipping a pertussis clinical specimen obtained by swabbing the posterior nasopharynx.

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).

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.
  • 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.

Pertussis Statistics

Statistics for pertussis disease in Georgia

Annual Statistics

2011

2010

Page last updated 12/22/2022
 

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