Pertussis (whooping cough) is a serious, sometimes fatal, respiratory infection.  It is a bacterial infection that is easy to catch.  A person with pertussis spreads the disease by coughing or sneezing while in close contact with others. Pertussis infection usually starts with cold-like symptoms (runny nose, sneezing, fever), but after one to two weeks it turns into severe coughing. Coughing spells may end in vomiting.  A “whooping” sound may go along the cough but not always.  

Any age group can get pertussis, but it is most severe in the very young (children under one year of age).  Most infants are infected by older siblings or parents who are unaware they have pertussis.  To help protect infants, parents and older siblings need to be up-to-date with their pertussis immunizations.

 For further information, or to check your immunization status please call the Chatham-Kent Public Health Unit Clinic Services at 519-355-1071 ext. 5900.