What is the treatment for pertussis?
There is no cure for pertussis. Antibiotics are given to help prevent the spread of pertussis from respiratory secretions to others, and if started early enough, can also help to make the disease less severe. Antibiotics are usually taken for at least 14 days. Close contacts to pertussis cases, regardless of pertussis vaccination status, need to receive antibiotics and perhaps receive a booster dose of a pertussis-containing vaccine. Patients and contacts need to be under the care of a doctor.

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1. What is pertussis?
2. Who gets pertussis?
3. How is pertussis spread?
4. What are the symptoms of pertussis?
5. How soon do symptoms occur?
6. How is pertussis diagnosed?
7. What is the treatment for pertussis?
8. How long is an infected person infectious to others?
9. Should an infected person be excluded from work or school?
10. How can pertussis be prevented?
11. Are there any side effects to the pertussis vaccine?