Treatment FAQ

how long after z pack treatment is whooping cough still contagious

by Akeem Greenfelder DVM Published 3 years ago Updated 2 years ago

When and for how long is a person able to spread pertussis? If untreated, a person can transmit pertussis from onset of symptoms to three weeks after the onset of coughing episodes. The period of communicability is reduced to five days after treatment with antibiotics.

How long is whooping cough contagious with antibiotics?

A person with whooping cough can pass it to others as soon as they get cold-like symptoms. They can also pass it up to 3 weeks after they start coughing. If the infected person takes an appropriate antibiotic, they will not spread the germ after 5 full days of treatment.

How long is quarantine for whooping cough?

Persons with pertussis should stay home from child care, school, work, and other activities until they have finished 5 days of antibiotics, unless they have already been coughing for 3 or more weeks.

How long should I stay off work with whooping cough?

If you or your child are taking antibiotics for whooping cough, you need to be careful not to spread the infection to others. Stay away from nursery, school or work until five days from the start of antibiotic treatment or three weeks after the coughing bouts started (whichever is sooner).

Which stage of whooping cough is most infectious?

People with pertussis are most infectious during the catarrhal period and during the first two weeks after onset of the cough (approximately 21 days).

Can azithromycin treat whooping cough?

Macrolides erythromycin, clarithromycin, and azithromycin are preferred for the treatment of pertussis in persons 1 month of age and older.

Does a mask prevent whooping cough?

Masks help because whooping cough is spread through face-to-face contact with someone who is sick with the disease. The disease goes from person to person through tiny drops of fluid from an infected person's nose or mouth. These drops can become airborne when the person sneezes or coughs.

Should you go to work with whooping cough?

Yes, people with whooping cough can remain infectious for up to 21 days and should remain off nursery, school or work during this time, unless they have been treated with antibiotics.

Do you cough up phlegm with whooping cough?

At this stage you may feel mildly unwell and have a slightly high temperature (fever). You may also have a runny nose. Over a few days the cough may become more productive with some phlegm (sputum) - but at first it still seems to be an ordinary cough.

Can you catch whooping cough twice?

Whooping cough, also known as pertussis, is a very contagious respiratory infection caused by the bacteria Bordetella pertussis. Even if you had whooping cough in the past the bacteria can infect you again, because immunity from the disease does not last a lifetime.

What is the last stage of whooping cough?

General Discussion. Pertussis is a highly contagious acute respiratory disease caused by the bacteria Bordetella pertussis. This disease has 3 stages: catarrhal, paroxysmal, and convalescent.

Is whooping cough an upper respiratory infection?

Pertussis, a respiratory illness commonly known as whooping cough, is a very contagious disease caused by a type of bacteria called Bordetella pertussis. These bacteria attach to the cilia (tiny, hair-like extensions) that line part of the upper respiratory system.

How serious is whooping cough in adults?

Whooping cough can last up to 10 weeks and can lead to pneumonia and other complications. The symptoms of whooping cough may look like other medical conditions. Always consult your health care provider for a diagnosis.

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