What should you know about bartonella pertussis?

Pertussis spreads through respiratory droplets and close contact. It may begin like a mild cold, followed by repeated bouts of cough. Some people make a high-pitched intake of breath after coughing, but this sound is not present in everyone. Vomiting or exhaustion after a coughing bout can occur, and babies may have breathing pauses rather than a dramatic cough.

The infection can be especially serious for young infants. A person can pass it to others before the cough becomes recognisable, so a suspected case needs prompt medical advice and attention to household contacts. A clinician may use the symptoms, examination and testing to decide whether pertussis is likely.

Contact a clinician promptly if you or your child has coughing fits, has been exposed to whooping cough or is caring for a young baby. Prescribed antibiotic treatment may reduce spread when started at the appropriate stage, although the cough can take time to settle. Take medicine exactly as directed.

Rest, drink fluids and avoid smoke or other airway irritants. Cover coughs, wash hands and keep distance from infants and vulnerable people until a clinician advises that contact is safe. Check whether household members need assessment or preventive treatment, and keep routine immunisation appointments.

Seek emergency help if breathing is difficult, lips look blue or grey, a child has pauses in breathing, the person cannot keep fluids down, becomes unusually sleepy or has a seizure. Prompt review is also needed for a persistent cough in an infant, breathing trouble after a coughing bout or signs of dehydration.

Ask whether the illness could be whooping cough, whether testing or antibiotic treatment is appropriate, how long to avoid close contact, whether household contacts need advice and whether immunisation is up to date.