How can pertussis be prevented?
The best way to prevent pertussis is to ensure that children receive the recommended vaccines to prevent this disease. Persons with pertussis should be isolated from other persons. After close contact exposure to an infected person, some protection may result if 14 days of antibiotics are quickly begun. Currently licensed vaccines containing pertussis are not administered to persons after their seventh birthday.

All children should receive a series of five doses of a vaccine containing pertussis such as Diphtheria, Tetanus, and acellular Pertussis vaccine (DTaP); Diphtheria, Tetanus, and acellular Pertussis vaccine (DTP); or combinations of other vaccines that contain DTaP or DTP.

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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?