Follow-up recommendations for pertussis exposures in the health care setting
Download PDF version formatted for print:
Follow-up recommendations for pertussis exposures in the health care setting (PDF: 36KB/1 page)
Health care workers exposed to a patient infected with pertussis
For health care workers caring for a patient with pertussis, identify the type of exposure:
| Type of health care worker exposure (patient's cough was less than 21 days at time of exposure) | Recommended follow-up |
| Face-to-face contact with coughing or sneezing patient without a mask, or Performing or assisting with procedures that induce coughing or produce aerosols without a mask, or Presence in same room with coughing or sneezing patient without a mask and performing a close-contact activity (e.g., bathing, feeding) |
Antibiotic prophylaxis or 21-day symptom watch from time of exposure
|
| Presence in same room with coughing or sneezing patient without a mask and without close contact | Recommend 21-day symptom watch from time of exposure |
Patients/staff exposed to a health care worker infected with pertussis
For patients or staff in close contact with an infected health care worker, identify the type of exposure:
| Type of patient exposure (health care worker's cough was less than 21 days at time of exposure) | Recommended follow-up |
If a health care worker has pertussis, please contact the Minnesota Department of Health (MDH)
for guidance. |
|
| Health care worker was masked while infectious and working with patients | No notification of patients is needed |
| Health care worker was not masked while infectious and had contact with patients less than 12 months of age or pregnant women | Call local public health and notify of exposure, and recommend post-exposure prophylaxis letters* and/or phone calls |
| Health care worker was not masked while infectious and had contact with patients who had a pre-existing lung condition that would make them susceptible to a more severe case of pertussis | Mail notification letter* and recommend post-exposure prophylaxis |
| Health care worker was not masked while infectious and patient was not less than 12 months old, pregnant, or otherwise compromised with a lung condition | Mail notification letter* and recommend testing if symptoms develop |
| Staff who worked with an infected health care worker and had prolonged, close proximity, and unprotected contact | Recommend antibiotic prophylaxis or 21-day symptom watch from time of exposure
|
* Letter templates are available through MDH.
- Pertussis Treatment and Prophylaxis
This site provides treatment guidance with information about appropriate antimicrobials and dosage amounts.
- Repeat exposures
For questions on whether or not to repeat prophylaxis, please call
651-201-5414 or 1-877-676-5414.
