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What is Pertussis?
Learn about this highly contagious disease and how you can protect your child
Pertussis (also called whooping cough) is a highly contagious disease that causes severe coughing spells. Children with pertussis develop thick, sticky mucus in the windpipe, which causes a series of a dozen or more short coughs in rapid succession. The "whoop" is the loud gasp children make as they struggle to breathe in through narrowed airway passages between the coughing spasms.1,2
Pertussis can occur at any age. However, infants and young children, particularly those who are not immunized or who are not fully immunized, are at highest risk for getting severe whooping cough and suffering from serious, potentially life-threatening complications.2,3
Vaccination is the best way to protect your baby from pertussis. Make an appointment with your child's doctor today and ask about DAPTACEL vaccine.
References :
1. Edwards KM, Decker MD, Mortimer EA Jr. Pertussis vaccine. In: Plotkin SA, Orenstein WA, eds. Vaccines. 3rd ed. Philadelphia, Pa: WB Saunders Co; 1999:293-344.
2. Scott PT, Clark JB, Miser WF. Pertussis: an update on primary prevention and outbreak control. Am Fam Physician.1997;56:1121-1128.
3. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). Pertussis—United States, 1997-2000. MMWR. 2002;51(4):73-76.
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Indication
DAPTACEL vaccine is given to infants and children 6 weeks through 6 years of age (prior to 7th birthday) to prevent three serious diseases: diphtheria, tetanus (lockjaw), and pertussis (whooping cough) as a five-dose series.
Safety Information
Side effects to DAPTACEL vaccine include injection site redness, swelling, and tenderness; fever, fussiness, drowsiness, and crying more than usual. Other side effects may occur. DAPTACEL vaccine should not be given to children who, after a previous dose of the vaccine, have had a serious allergic reaction (anaphylactic reaction) or inflammation of the brain (encephalopathy) not attributable to another cause. Tell the doctor if your child has ever experienced a severe brain disorder, such as encephalopathy (altered consciousness) or Guillain-Barré syndrome (severe muscle weakness), after a previous dose of a tetanus toxoid- or pertussis-containing vaccine. Vaccination with DAPTACEL vaccine may not protect all individuals.
For more information about DAPTACEL vaccine, talk to your health-care professional.
Last modified: 2/20/09
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