What is Pertussis (Whooping Cough)?
Pertussis is a respiratory illness that is easily spread by coughing and sneezing. The disease starts like the common cold, with runny nose or congestion, sneezing, and mild cough or fever. After 1-2 weeks, severe coughing begins. Infants and children with the disease cough violently and rapidly, over and over, until the air is gone from their lungs and they're forced to inhale with a loud "whooping" sound. The coughing can last for weeks, even months. Adults and adolescents typically have a milder form of pertussis; however, they can still easily spread the infection to others, including infants and young children. Pertussis is most severe for babies; more than half of infants less than 1 year of age who get the disease must be hospitalized.
New! Pertussis and Pregnancy Posters
Information for Health Care Personnel
Information for Individuals and Families
Why be Concerned?
Pertussis activity is on the rise in the United States and here in Michigan. The good news is that pertussis is preventable and the public can protect themselves through vaccination.
In Michigan, this increase was first observed in 2008, with 315 cases reported. The rise in cases has continued. In 2009, there were 902 reported cases and in 2010, there were 1,564 cases reported.
How can Pertussis be Prevented? 
The best way to prevent pertussis is to get vaccinated. Make sure infants and young children get their recommended five shots on time. Protection from the childhood vaccine fades over time. Adolescents and adults need to be revaccinated, even if they were completely vaccinated as children. This is especially important for families with new infants.
Information for Health Care Personnel
Disease Information
Clinical Information on Pertussis
Pertussis Chapter - Epidemiology and Prevention of Vaccine Preventable Diseases (Pink Book)
Pertussis Chapter - MDCH Vaccine Preventable Disease Investigation Guidelines
Pertussis is Peaking: Take Action!
Pertussis Diagnostics Pamphlet - Association of Public Health Laboratories
Best Practices for Health Care Professionals on the Use of PCR Tests for Diagnosing Pertussis (2/16/11)
Specimen collection videos from CDC (2/22/11)
Letters from MDCH
Letter to Birthing Hospitals on Tdap Vaccination
New! Letter to OB/GYNs on Tdap Vaccination (10/11)
Letter to Hospital CEOs on Tdap Vaccination (4/11)
Vaccine Information
Immunization Schedules
Recommended Immunization Schedules for Children, Adolescents, and Adults
Updated Tdap Recommendations - Morbidity and Mortality Weekly Report (1/14/11)
Additional Tdap Vaccine Information
New! Recommendations for Use of Tdap Vaccine in Pregnant Women & Contacts of Infants (10/21/11)
Updated! CDC Immunization & Pregnancy Chart for Providers (10/11)
Provisional Recommendations for the Use of Tdap in Health Care Personnel (4/4/11)
Healthcare Personnel Vaccination Recommendations (3/11)
Tdap Vaccination Strategies for Adults and Adolescents, including Health Care Personnel (Joint Commission)
Quick Looks
Using DTaP/IPV/Hib (Pentacel®)
Using DTaP/IPV (KINRIX™)
Using Pediarix® (DTaP/IPV/Hep B)
Using DTaP Vaccine
Using Tdap Vaccine
Standing Orders
Standing orders for administering DTaP vaccine to children younger than 7 years
Standing orders for administering Td/Tdap vaccine to adults
Standing orders for administering Td/Tdap vaccine to children ages 7 years and older
Vaccine Information Statements (VIS)
Diphtheria, Tetanus, and Pertussis
Td/Tdap
Foreign Language VIS
Patient Education Materials
New! Cocooning Poster: Protect this baby from flu and whooping cough
New! Pertussis and Pregnancy Detailed Flyer
New! Pertussis and Pregnancy posters
New! Pertussis and Flu Pregnancy posters
Updated! CDC Vaccines and Pregnancy Flyer (10/11)
New! It Could be More Than Just a Cough!
Protecting Your Baby from Pertussis
Surround Your Baby With A Vaccinated Family - English
Surround Your Baby With A Vaccinated Family - Spanish
Parents: Protect Yourself and Your Children from Whooping Cough!
Pregnant Women: Whooping Cough is on the Rise
Grandparents: Protect Yourself from Pertussis
School & Child Care Settings: Protect Against Flu and Whooping Cough
Health Care Personnel: It's Time for Your Tetanus Booster
Information for Individuals and Families
Disease Information
Pertussis Disease
Hear What Pertussis Sounds Like
What You Need to Know
Vaccine Information
About Pertussis Vaccine
Vaccine Information Statements (VIS)
Diphtheria, Tetanus, and Pertussis
Td/Tdap
Foreign Language VIS
Educational Materials and Resources
Posters and Flyers
New! Cocooning Poster: Protect this baby from flu and whooping cough
New! Pertussis and Pregnancy Detailed Flyer
New! Pertussis and Pregnancy posters
New! Pertussis and Flu Pregnancy posters
Updated! CDC Vaccines and Pregnancy Flyer (10/11)
New! It Could be More Than Just a Cough!
Protecting Your Baby from Pertussis
Surround Your Baby With A Vaccinated Family - English
Surround Your Baby With A Vaccinated Family - Spanish
Parents: Protect Yourself and Your Children from Whooping Cough!
Pregnant Women: Whooping Cough is on the Rise
Grandparents: Protect Yourself from Pertussis
School & Child Care Settings: Protect Against Flu and Whooping Cough
Other Resources
Pertussis Videos
St. Clair County Pertussis Video
Unprotected People Reports - Pertussis
Shot-by-Shot Story Gallery
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