Can i carry pertussis

Before pertussis vaccines became widely available in the s, about , children got sick with it each year in the United States and about 9, died as a result of the infection. Now we see about 10, to 40, cases reported each year and unfortunately some deaths.

A: Pertussis vaccines are effective, but not perfect. They typically offer good levels of protection within the first 2 years after getting the vaccine, but then protection decreases over time.

Among kids who get all 5 doses of DTaP on schedule, effectiveness is very high within the year following the 5th dose — at least 9 out of 10 kids are fully protected. There is a modest decrease in effectiveness in each following year.

About 7 out of 10 kids are fully protected 5 years after getting their last dose of DTaP and the other 3 out of 10 kids are partially protected — protecting against serious disease. CDC estimates that in the first year after getting vaccinated with Tdap, it protects about 7 out of 10 people who receive it. There is a decrease in effectiveness in each following year.

About 3 or 4 out of 10 people are fully protected 4 years after getting Tdap. Keeping up to date with recommended pertussis vaccines is the best way to protect you and your loved ones. Learn more about protection from vaccines and infection. A: If you get pertussis after getting pertussis vaccines, you are less likely to have a serious infection.

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. Last updated: 03 June What is whooping cough? What are the symptoms? Whooping cough usually begins like a cold with a blocked or runny nose, tiredness, mild fever and a cough.

The cough gets worse and severe bouts of uncontrollable coughing can develop. Coughing bouts can be followed by vomiting, choking or taking a big gasping breath which causes a "whooping" sound. The cough can last for many weeks and can be worse at night.

Some newborns may not cough at all but they can stop breathing and turn blue. Some babies have difficulties feeding and can choke or gag. Older children and adults may just have a cough that lasts for many weeks. They may not have the whoop. How is it spread? Whooping cough is spread when an infectious person coughs bacteria into the air which can be inhaled by people nearby.

If they are not treated early, people with whooping cough are infectious in the first three weeks of their illness.

Whooping cough spreads easily through families, childcare centres and at school. Who is at risk? Anyone can get whooping cough. People living in the same household as someone with whooping cough are especially at risk.

Immunisation reduces the risk of infection but immunity fades over time. Symptoms appear in 3 stages: Stage one lasts weeks: runny nose, sneezing, low-grade fever, mild occasional cough. It may look like the common cold but the cough begins to get worse.

Stage two can last months: Cough becomes more severe. There are coughing fits that can be followed by a high- pitched whoop. The whoop means the person is trying to catch their breath. Sometimes a person will turn blue and vomit mucus or food. They also may have brief periods when they stop breathing. Stage three may last weeks to months: Recovery phase is when a person slowly gets better. Coughing fits can come back if the person gets another respiratory illness.

What are the complications of whooping cough? How long is a person with whooping cough contagious? What is the treatment? If my child or another family member has been exposed to whooping cough, what should I do? What is the best way to prevent whooping cough?

The best way to prevent whooping cough is to get vaccinated. We recommend that all children and adults get a pertussis-containing vaccine. The recommended pertussis vaccine for infants and children is called DTaP. This protects children against 3 diseases: diphtheria, tetanus, and whooping cough pertussis. DTaP shots are given at 2, 4, and 6 months of age. To maintain protection, boosters are also given at 15 through 18 months and 4 through 6 years of age. Preteens going to the doctor for their regular checkup at 11 or 12 years of age should get a booster dose of Tdap.

If a preteen did not get this Tdap at 11 to 12 years, they should be vaccinated at their next doctor visit. All adults 19 and older who have not received a Tdap vaccine, need a booster shot.