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How Long Does It Take For Whooping Cough Symptoms To Appear?
Question: I was visiting my niece in N.Y. on July 24 and she was in very good health, no coughing or no sign of being sick. I found out on August 13 that she has whooping cough. It is now 23 days since I was with her and I have no coughing just my usual sinus problems like congestion and scrathy throat. I was vaccinated in the 1950s for whooping cough. Could I develop whooping cough I looked on the computer it said you would have to be iin contact with body fluids like sneezing,etc. which she didn't do. The computer also said after contact with a person it is usually 7-10 days before you develop symptoms. Please let me know.
Brief Answer:
Symptoms might appear delayed 3 to 6 weeks
Detailed Answer:
Hi XXXX,
Thanks for writing in to us.
I have read through your query in detail.
Whopping cough or pertusis is an infection usually affecting infants and very young children. It is caused by bacteria from Bordetella group.
Coming to the query, review of medical literature shows that symptoms of whooping cough or pertussis usually develop within 7–10 days after being exposed, but sometimes not for as long as 3 to 6 weeks. Whopping cough is less prevalent in the adult population. Should you have any cough in the next few weeks then the first action suggested is to get tested for whooping cough.
Regarding your vaccination in the 1950s, it can be said that no vaccine is fully protective and it is possible to get infected even after being vaccinated, though the disease severity may be lesser.
You will know the sinusitis problems of scratchy throat from that of persisting cough in suspected whopping cough. Please take medical attention if you get the cough and share details about your niece suffering from the condition with your doctors.
Wishing you good health.
Hope your query is answered.
Do write back if you have any doubts.
Regards,
Dr.Vivek
Symptoms might appear delayed 3 to 6 weeks
Detailed Answer:
Hi XXXX,
Thanks for writing in to us.
I have read through your query in detail.
Whopping cough or pertusis is an infection usually affecting infants and very young children. It is caused by bacteria from Bordetella group.
Coming to the query, review of medical literature shows that symptoms of whooping cough or pertussis usually develop within 7–10 days after being exposed, but sometimes not for as long as 3 to 6 weeks. Whopping cough is less prevalent in the adult population. Should you have any cough in the next few weeks then the first action suggested is to get tested for whooping cough.
Regarding your vaccination in the 1950s, it can be said that no vaccine is fully protective and it is possible to get infected even after being vaccinated, though the disease severity may be lesser.
You will know the sinusitis problems of scratchy throat from that of persisting cough in suspected whopping cough. Please take medical attention if you get the cough and share details about your niece suffering from the condition with your doctors.
Wishing you good health.
Hope your query is answered.
Do write back if you have any doubts.
Regards,
Dr.Vivek
Above answer was peer-reviewed by :
Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar
Answered by
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