I'm a 49 year old male in my 3rd month with Pertussis. Seven doctors have been unable to diagnose it. My blood continues to test positive for bacteria and has been sent to the CDC. I receive zero relief from all medications including antibiotics, inhalers, allergenics, cough suppressants, and steroids. My symptoms are always exactly as stated in all of the literatures I have found. This is my forth battle with this disease in as many years. The symptoms are always the same and last up to four months.

After having a bad cough for 2 weeks, I went to the doctor and was diagnosed with bronchitis. I was put on antibiotics but didn't feel better. I went back to the doctor 3 weeks later and was put on another z-pack. She did blood work for pertussis (whooping cough) and for mono and a week later the pertussis test came back as positive. The cough was one that I couldn't control. I would cough and cough and couldn't catch my breath. It was bad during the day, but much worse at night. I slept sitting up for about 7-8 weeks. My chest (breastbone area) was so tight and hurt even when I wasn't coughing. The coughing really consisted of true spasms. I was taking a prescription cough syrup (plus the 2 z-packs) but the coughing continued. Thankfully, after the first round of antibiotics I wasn't considered contagious (important because I am an elementary school teacher), but the cough itself was around for 4-5 months (started in early September and was gone in February),but the worst coughing was in those first 2-3 months.