Pertussis is an acute respiratory infectious disease characterized by long coughing that last for weeks, even months. Pertussis has also called a 100-day cough. Pertussis is especially dangerous for infants, most deaths are in infants age under 3 months. The disease is caused by the bacteria called Bordetella pertussis.

The first symptoms of the pertussis are similar to common cold:

• runny nose
• sneezing
• fever
• sore throat
• mild cough

However, the cough gradually becomes stronger, after one to two weeks, a slow-moving, pertussis-like cough develops. Coughs often occur at night.

How to prevent pertussis?

The best prevention is vaccination.

How to treat Pertussis?

• Antibiotic therapy should be started as soon as possible during 21 days from the onset of the disease. Antibiotic therapy precludes the progression of the disease and shorten its duration. Treatment need to prescribed by your doctor.
• Symptomatic relieving treatment
• Work-free mode until recovery (sick note)

If you have any suspicion of pertussis, contact immediately with your family doctor/ family nurse.