B.pertussis causes a toxin-mediated disease. The toxin causes inflammation and interferes with the clearance of pulmonary secretions.

Infection may be asymptomatic or typically starts with cold-like symptoms, including a mild cough, runny nose and low-grade fever. Infants can also present with apnea. This period is known as the catarrhal stage. After 1-2 weeks, the disease progresses into the paroxysmal stage and shows more traditional whooping cough symptoms including coughing fits followed by a high pitched inspiratory ‘whoop’. During the convalescence stage, recovery occurs gradually over weeks to months.

B.pertussis spreads easily from person-to-person through respiratory droplets from coughs and sneezes. The average incubation period of pertussis is 7-10 days with a range of 4-21 days.

Pertussis vaccination is included in the Primary Childhood Immunisation Schedule, which can be reviewed HERE.