Prevention

• Both frequent hand washing and the use of masks will help lessen the likelihood that the bacteria will spread to other members of a household where someone has whooping cough. Also avoid touching your nose or mouth, and thus introducing the bacteria you may have picked up, during outbreaks.



• For children, follow the recommended schedule for the DTaP (diphtheria, tetanus, pertussis) inoculations. Shots are given at the ages of 2 months, 4 months, 6 months, 15-18 months, and 4-6 years for full immunity, according to the American Academy of Pediatrics.



• In 2005, the U.S. government approved Tdap, the first pertussis booster shot for children 10 to 18 years of age. The Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices (ACIP) of the Centers for Disease Control recommends one dose of Tdap in place of one Td booster.



• For adults 19-64 years, the ACIP recommends a single dose of Tdap;



• If you have never received a dose of Tdap, one dose of Tdap should replace one dose of Td for booster immunization if the most recent tetanus toxoid-containing vaccine was received at least 10 years earlier.



• Adults in close contact with infants aged 12 months or younger who have not previously received Tdap should receive a dose of Tdap; an interval as short as two years since the most recent Td is suggested.



• Health-care personnel in settings with direct patient contact who have not previously received Tdap should receive a dose of Tdap; an interval as short as two years since the most recent Td is recommended.