CPCC Environmental Health and Safety

Pertussis

Fact Sheet and Notification Protocol

Overview

Pertussis (more commonly known as “whooping cough”) is a highly contagious bacterial infection. Pertussis is easily spread from person to person and causes an uncontrollable, violent cough lasting several weeks to months. Pertussis can cause severe breathing problems, syncope, pneumonia, and encephalitis. In rare cases pertussis can lead to death, especially in the very young.

Pertussis is caused by the bacterium Bordetella pertussis. This bacterium is found in the throat, nose, and/or mouth of an infected individual. Pertussis is highly contagious and spread via direct contact with mucus or droplets from the nose and throat of infected persons. The infection is primarily spread due to airborne droplets; when an infected person laughs, coughs, or sneezes droplets that contain the bacteria are spread into the air. The bacteria can infect others when they then come in contact with/breathe in these droplets. The incubation period is roughly 7-10 days but may be as long as 42 days. A single individual with pertussis can infect up to 12 to 15 people.

Pertussis can occur at any age. In 2005 studies showed that of the 25,000 reported cases of pertussis in the US, approximately 60% were in adolescents and adults (this may be a result of decreased immunity). Infants who are too young to be fully vaccinated and those who have not yet completed the primary vaccination series are at high risk as well.

Signs/Symptoms

Pertussis symptoms have three stages:

Stage I: Cold like symptoms (runny nose, sneezing, low grade fever, and a mild cough that slowly gets worse).

Stage II: Uncontrollable coughing spells, vomiting after coughing, and a distinct whooping noise that can be heard when breathing in. During severe coughing spells a person may stop breathing or become blue from lack of air. Between coughing spells an infected person could appear to be well.

Stage III: Symptoms begin to gradually lessen. Coughing spells still occur but with less severity. The whooping sound after coughing may remain during this period.

The approximate duration of a pertussis infection cycle is around six to ten weeks. Adults, teens, and those who have been fully vaccinated may experience milder symptoms.

Diagnosis

Pertussis can be very difficult to diagnose. Symptoms can resemble many other upper respiratory illnesses and conditions. A physician will likely perform a physical, obtain vaccination history, and conduct laboratory testing. Pertussis can often be diagnosed using a mucosal swab or blood test.

Treatment

The primary treatment and post-exposure prevention for pertussis is antibiotics (recommended even if an individual has been vaccinated). If antibiotic treatment is administered quickly the disease will be milder and less likely to spread to others.

Prevention

Vaccination is the best way to protect against pertussis. The pertussis vaccine is currently administered with diphtheria and tetanus vaccines as a routine childhood inoculation. The current vaccine for children under 7 is DTap; for those over 7 years old, adults, and teens the vaccine available is Tdap. Pertussis vaccines are effective and routinely recommended by the World Health Organization and the Center for Disease Control and Prevention. Currently only one dose of Tdap is recommended. All vaccines, like other medicines, can cause side effects. This can include pain, redness, and swelling at the injection site. More serious issues are rare. The benefits of receiving the Tdap vaccine far outweigh associated peripheral risks. It is important to remember as with any communicable disease frequent handwashing and covering your nose and mouth when coughing or sneezing is always recommended.

Should you acquire or be exposed to an individual with pertussis antibiotic treatment is suggested- regardless of vaccination status.

In line with applicable federal, state, local standards, CPCC Policies and Procedures/Guidelines; if a student or employee reveals that they have pertussis the following steps should be taken:

 The student or employee must notify the appropriate instructor, supervisor, or administrator in charge as soon as reasonably feasible with medical proof of diagnosis (in writing) from a licensed medical professional.  The appropriate instructor, supervisor or administrator in charge should notify Environmental Health and Safety.  Environmental Health and Safety will consult with local public health official with jurisdiction (Mecklenburg County Health Department) for recommendations if needed.  If recommended by the Health Department, Environmental Health and Safety will request that CPCC Facility Services coordinate a thorough wipe down of possible affected surfaces and equipment with an EPA approved disinfectant.  Advise employee or student to be aware of the obligation to conduct oneself in a manner to protect themselves and others by adhering to pertussis prevention methods.