back to Australia directory
australia clinical guidance

Pertussis / whooping cough

A detailed Australian summary of pertussis / whooping cough, with source-attributed priorities, a practical workflow, safety escalation and state or territory implementation boundaries.

JurisdictionAustralia
Source check2026-08-20
Clinical reviewiatroX editorial team · Clinical editorial review · reviewed 2026-08-20 · due 2027-08-20
AudienceHealthcare professionals practising in Australia
This is an iatroX educational summary of named Australia sources, not an official guideline. It does not replace the complete source documents, local policy, specialist advice or clinical judgement. Apply current TGA product information, PBS restrictions, state or territory law, local referral criteria, formulary and antimicrobial policy. A national recommendation does not create uniform service access.

Scope

Suspect pertussis with paroxysmal cough, inspiratory whoop, post-tussive vomiting or apnoea, recognizing that vaccinated adults may have atypical prolonged cough. Collect PCR in the useful illness window and notify public health according to state or territory requirements without waiting when suspicion is high. This summary is limited to the population, decisions and escalation boundaries stated in the named source.
sources for this section:CDNA pertussis SoNGAustralian Immunisation Handbook

The Bottom Line

  • Suspect pertussis with paroxysmal cough, inspiratory whoop, post-tussive vomiting or apnoea, recognizing that vaccinated adults may have atypical prolonged cough.
  • Collect PCR in the useful illness window and notify public health according to state or territory requirements without waiting when suspicion is high.
  • PCR sensitivity declines later in the cough illness while serology has narrow interpretation and should follow public-health advice.
  • Use antimicrobial treatment mainly to reduce transmission when within the guideline interval and select prophylaxis for defined high-risk contacts.
sources for this section:CDNA pertussis SoNGAustralian Immunisation Handbook

Practical clinical workflow

1

Topic-specific assessment action

Suspect pertussis with paroxysmal cough, inspiratory whoop, post-tussive vomiting or apnoea, recognizing that vaccinated adults may have atypical prolonged cough.
2

Topic-specific diagnostic action

Use antimicrobial treatment mainly to reduce transmission when within the guideline interval and select prophylaxis for defined high-risk contacts.
3

Topic-specific management action

Check immunisation and pregnancy schedule and advise exclusion and infection-control measures under the Australian Immunisation Handbook and CDNA guidance.
4

Topic-specific follow-through

Antibiotics given late may not shorten cough, so explain the transmission-focused goal and prolonged recovery.
sources for this section:CDNA pertussis SoNGAustralian Immunisation Handbook

Safety boundaries and escalation

  • Apnoea, cyanosis, feeding failure, pneumonia, seizure or an affected young infant requires urgent paediatric hospital assessment.
  • Pregnant household contacts and infants are priority contacts for prophylaxis assessment because consequence risk is high.
sources for this section:CDNA pertussis SoNGAustralian Immunisation Handbook

Implementation

The named source is national or binational guidance used in Australia, but referral access, public-health directions, formularies and funded services can still differ by state, territory and health service. Check current TGA product information for medicines. Offer culturally safe care and use the NACCHO–RACGP National Guide where Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander preventive or chronic-care recommendations differ.
sources for this section:CDNA pertussis SoNGAustralian Immunisation Handbook

Clinical use boundary

This independently written summary is not an official guideline. Check the linked source version, current TGA-approved product information where medicines are involved, and the applicable state, territory and local pathway at the point of care.

sources for this section:CDNA pertussis SoNGAustralian Immunisation Handbook

Source documents

Use the linked source documents for complete recommendations, evidence grading, exclusions and implementation detail.

  1. Communicable Diseases Network AustraliaPertussis (whooping cough) — CDNA National Guidelines for Public Health UnitsMarch 2013 national guideline; current collection status checked 2026-08-20 · accessed 2026-08-20
    view source
  2. Australian Government Department of Health, Disability and AgeingAustralian Immunisation HandbookLiving web handbook checked 2026-08-20 · accessed 2026-08-20
    view source
continue the learning

From guidance to deliberate practice and evidence

Choose what happens next. iatroX can carry this page's jurisdiction, source-check date and released version into an editable learning record, support your reflection, or let you browse the regional question bank while keeping this topic visible. No action records completion, starts a session or awards CPD/CME credit automatically.

Add this guidance review to CPD/CMEOpen an editable learning-log record with this page’s provenance attached. You confirm the activity, time, reflection and mappings.Reflect on this with TutorUse optional prompts to consider what you learned and what—if anything—you may change. Suggestions are never inserted automatically.Browse the Australia question bankKeep this guidance topic in view, then choose your exam and filters. No session starts automatically.
Found a source update or regional discrepancy? Tell the iatroX editorial team.