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Advice on pertussis (whooping cough) for clinicians

Summary

Pertussis (whooping cough) is highly infectious. Spread by respiratory droplets, 70–100% of household contacts and 50–80% of susceptible school-aged contacts are usually infected. Infants under 12 months of age are at highest risk of complications and death. The incubation period is 6 to 20 days but usually less than 14 days. A patient is infectious just prior to and, if untreated, for up to 21 days after cough onset. The cough may persist for months.

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Owner:
Chief Health Officer,
Chief Health Officer and Health Protection,
Wellbeing, Integrated Care and Ageing,
Department of Health
50 Lonsdale Street,
Melbourne, Victoria, 3000
Telephone: (61 3) 9096 9000