Pertussis Information

A very contagious respiratory illness caused by a type of bacteria called Bordetella pertussis

Begins like a common cold: mild fever, runny nose, sneezing with an occasional cough and then symptoms worsen

Not everyone with pertussis “whoops” when coughing

Can cause breathing failure or difficulties, pneumonia, and swelling of the brain

Highly vulnerable population includes babies and infants

Pregnant women are highly encouraged to get a Tdap vaccine during their third trimester of pregnancy regardless of vaccination history

Tdap booster shot will pass some of the protection to the baby from the mother, until the baby is old enough (6 to 8 weeks) to get immunized