How long does it take to get test results for whooping cough?

Results are reported in one to two weeks. A pertussis culture will allow the recovery of the bacteria in order to investigate potential outbreaks. Susceptibility testing can also be performed to determine which antibiotic to use for treatment.

How do you test for whooping cough?

A nose or throat culture and test. Your doctor takes a swab or suction sample from the area where the nose and throat meet (nasopharynx). The sample is then checked for evidence of the presence of whooping cough bacteria.

How accurate is pertussis test?

Culture remains the gold standard for laboratory diagnosis of pertussis due to a specificity of essentially 100%. The CDC recommends that culture be performed during a suspected outbreak to confirm positive PCR results.

How do I know if I have whooping cough or just a cold?

It’s hard to tell at first but whooping cough lasts longer. A cold and whooping cough might seem alike in their initial stages. Both may start with a stuffy or runny nose, mild cough and sneezing. But while cold symptoms improve, whooping cough – also known as pertussis – only gets worse with time.

Is there a rapid test for whooping cough?

PCR is a rapid test and has excellent sensitivity. However, PCR tests vary in specificity. Therefore, you should obtain culture confirmation of pertussis for at least one suspicious case any time there is suspicion of a pertussis outbreak.

What mimics whooping cough?

Parapertussis is a disease that affects the lungs. Parapertussis is similar to pertussis (whooping cough), but is less severe.

What whooping cough sounds like?

Overview. Whooping cough (pertussis) is a highly contagious respiratory tract infection. In many people, it’s marked by a severe hacking cough followed by a high-pitched intake of breath that sounds like “whoop.”

Is 100 day cough the same as whooping cough?

What is the 100 days cough, also known as whooping cough? The 100 days cough, also commonly known as the whooping cough, takes its name from the heavy wheezing sounds you make when trying to breathe in between coughs.

When should I get a whooping cough test?

Your health care provider may order a whooping cough test if you or your child has symptoms of whooping cough. You or your child may also need a test if you’ve been exposed to someone who has whooping cough. Symptoms of whooping cough usually occur in three stages.

What do you need to know about whooping cough?

Whooping cough 1 Overview. Whooping cough (pertussis) is a highly contagious respiratory tract infection. 2 Symptoms. Once you become infected with whooping cough, it takes about seven to 10 days for signs and symptoms to appear, though it can sometimes take longer. 3 Causes. 4 Risk factors. 5 Complications. 6 Prevention.

What does a negative test result for whooping cough mean?

A positive result probably means you or your child has whooping cough. A negative result doesn’t completely rule out whooping cough. If your results are negative, your health care provider will probably order more tests to confirm or rule out a whooping cough diagnosis. Whooping cough is treated with antibiotics.

How long is whooping cough contagious?

Whooping cough is highly contagious. You can pass it to others from the time you notice the first symptoms, like a runny nose, low-grade fever, and sneezing. You stay contagious until you’ve taken 5 days of antibiotics.