Symptoms of Pertussis
Disease Fact Sheet
(PDF 15 KB)
Pertussis often begins with "cold-like" symptoms and a mild cough.
The
cough then progresses to paroxysms, or "fits" of coughing, followed by a
high-pitched whooping as the person tries to catch their breath. Many
people will gag or vomit following a fit of coughing. The cough can last
1-3 months.
Children's lips,
fingernails, and face may turn blue because they cannot get enough
oxygen. Between spells of coughing, the person may look and feel fine.
A person usually becomes ill 7-10 days after being exposed to someone
with the disease; however, incubation can last up to 21 days.
In school-age children, adults, and fully immunized preschoolers,
pertussis may not be a severe illness. Adults may not have the classic
symptoms, but instead may have a cough that lasts for weeks or months
and awakens them at night.
In infants and young children, especially those who have not had three
doses of vaccine, pertussis may be very severe, resulting in
hospitalization, seizures, long-term neurological problems, and even
death.
Because infants do not develop the typical cough, it is difficult
to know if they have pertussis or some other illness.
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Symptoms
- Cold-like symptoms and a mild cough
- Fits of coughing followed by a high-pitched whooping
- Children's lips, fingernails, and face may turn blue because they cannot get enough oxygen
Incubation Period
Special Note
If you suspect that you or your child may have pertussis, you should
contact your health care provider immediately. |
