Whooping Cough (Pertussis)

NSW Health’s most recent Respiratory Surveillance Report advises that Whooping Cough (Pertussis) activity continues to increase in school-aged children.

What is Whooping Cough?

Whooping cough, also known as pertussis, is a highly contagious respiratory infection caused by the Bordetella pertussis bacterium. It is characterised by severe coughing fits, which can make it difficult to breathe, and often ends with a "whooping" sound when the person breathes in.

Symptoms:

Initial symptoms resemble a common cold: runny nose, sneezing, mild fever, and mild cough.

The cough usually 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. 

How is it Spread?

Whooping cough is spread when an infectious person coughs bacteria into the air which can be inhaled by people nearby. 

Prevention:

Vaccination is the most effective way to prevent whooping cough.  Good hygiene practices, such as covering the mouth when coughing and regular handwashing, help reduce the spread of the infection.

Treatment:

If whooping cough is detected early enough, a doctor may prescribe a course of antibiotics. After 5 days of antibiotic treatment, enough bacteria are killed to stop the spread to others, although the cough can linger for weeks.

Without antibiotics, people with whooping cough can spread the infection in the first 3 weeks of the cough starting.  In some situations, other people who have been in contact with an infectious person may also need antibiotics to help prevent them from getting whooping cough, especially young children, people at high risk of health problems and those more likely to pass the infection to children.

School:

Children/staff members with a confirmed case of whooping cough should stay at home until they have completed at least 5 days of a prescribed antibiotic course. 

If close contacts being treated with antibiotics to prevent the spread of the disease are not displaying symptoms and have not tested positive for whooping cough they are permitted to attend school. 

Please refer to NSW Health - Information for Childcare and Schools for more information.