Prevention and Control of Communicable Diseases
Parapertussis
Parapertussis is similar to pertussis but tends to be a milder disease than pertussis.
Cause
Bordetella parapertussis bacteria.
Symptoms
Parapertussis begins with a runny nose, sneezing, mild cough, and possibly a low- grade fever. The cough may occur in sudden, uncontrollable bursts, sometimes ending with high-pitched whooping sounds and/or vomiting.
Spread
When a person with parapertussis coughs tiny droplets with parapertussis bacteria into the air and another person breathes them in.
Incubation
It takes from 6 to 21 days, usually 7 to 10 days from the time a person is exposed until symptoms start.
Contagious Period
Unknown, but probably most infectious at the time of early cold-like symptoms.
Exclusion
Child Care and School: None, if the child is well enough to participate in routine activities.
Diagnosis
To confirm a diagnosis of parapertussis, laboratory tests are performed on material collected by placing a flexible swab through the nostril to the back of the nose and throat.
Treatment
Persons with parapertussis can be treated with antibiotics, but antibiotics may do little to lessen the symptoms. Treatment is most effective if started soon after cough begins.
Prevention/Control
- Cover your nose and mouth with a tissue when coughing or sneezing, or cough/sneeze into your sleeve. Dispose of used tissues.
- Regular and thorough handwashing is the best way to prevent spread of communicable diseases. Wash hands thoroughly with soap and warm running water after contact with secretions from the nose or mouth.
- Preventive treatment is not generally recommended for contacts of people with parapertussis. Preventive treatment may be considered for close contacts who are at a higher risk for more severe disease, including infants and immuno- compromised persons. Vaccines for pertussis (DTaP and Tdap) are not effective against parapertussis.
- Clean and sanitize mouthed objects, and surfaces at least daily and when soiled.
For more information, call the Missouri Department of Health and Senior Services (MDHSS) Bureau of Communicable Disease Control and Prevention at 573-751-6113 or 800-392-0272 (24/7), or call your local health department.
Parapertussis Parent Fact Sheet
Your child may have been exposed to:
Parapertussis
Parapertussis is a bacterial illness similar to pertussis (whooping cough) but it tends to be more mild.
If you think your child has Parapertussis:
- Tell your child care provider or call the school.
- Need to stay home?
- Child Care and School:
No, if the child is healthy enough for routine activities.
- Child Care and School:
Symptoms
Your child may have a runny nose, sneezing, or mild coughing. Your child may cough in sudden, uncontrollable bursts. The cough may end with whooping sounds and/or vomiting.
If your child has been infected, it takes 6 to 21 days (usually 7 to 10 days) for symptoms to start.
Spread
By sneezing or coughing.
Contagious Period
Unknown, but likely to be most contagious at the time of early cold-like symptoms.
Call your Healthcare Provider
- If anyone in your home is coughing for more than 7 days. Your doctor may want to test for the bacteria. Antibiotics may be given.
Prevention
- Cover nose and mouth when coughing or sneezing. Use a tissue or your sleeve. Dispose of used tissues.
- Wash hands after touching anything that could be contaminated with secretions from the nose or mouth. Your child may need help with handwashing.
- Clean and disinfect anything that comes in contact with secretions from the nose or mouth. Use a product that kills bacteria..
For more information, call the Missouri Department of Health and Senior Services (MDHSS) Bureau of Communicable Disease Control and Prevention at 573-751-6113 or 800-392-0272 (24/7), or call your local health department.