What are the recommended treatment and post‑exposure prophylaxis regimens for pertussis (whooping cough) in infants (<1 month), children and adults (≥1 month), and pregnant or breastfeeding women, including specific macrolide dosing, alternative therapy for macrolide‑intolerant patients, and special considerations such as risk of infantile hypertrophic pyloric stenosis?

Whooping Cough (Pertussis) Treatment and Prophylaxis Guidelines

First-Line Antibiotic Treatment

Azithromycin is the preferred first-line macrolide for treatment of pertussis across all age groups, with age-specific dosing that provides superior tolerability and shorter treatment duration compared to erythromycin. 1, 2

Age-Specific Dosing Regimens

Infants <1 month (neonates):

• Azithromycin 10 mg/kg/day for 5 days is the strongly preferred agent due to significantly lower risk of infantile hypertrophic pyloric stenosis (IHPS) compared to erythromycin 1, 2
• Erythromycin should be avoided in this age group due to strong association with IHPS (5-10% absolute risk) 1, 3
• Infants receiving any macrolide must be monitored for IHPS symptoms: non-bilious vomiting, irritability with feeding 1, 3

Infants 1-5 months:

• Azithromycin 10 mg/kg/day for 5 days (first-line) 1, 2
• Clarithromycin 15-20 mg/kg/day divided twice daily for 7 days (alternative first-line) 1
• Both agents have demonstrated similar microbiologic effectiveness despite limited FDA licensure data for this age group 1, 2

Children ≥6 months and adolescents:

• Azithromycin: 10 mg/kg (maximum 500 mg) on day 1, then 5 mg/kg/day (maximum 250 mg) on days 2-5 1, 2
• Clarithromycin: 15-20 mg/kg/day divided twice daily for 7 days (maximum 1 g/day) 1

Adults:

• Azithromycin: 500 mg on day 1, then 250 mg daily on days 2-5 1, 2
• Clarithromycin: 500 mg twice daily for 7 days 1, 4

Alternative Therapy for Macrolide-Intolerant Patients

For patients >2 months with macrolide contraindications or hypersensitivity:

• Trimethoprim-sulfamethoxazole (TMP-SMZ) for 14 days 1
  • Adults: one double-strength tablet twice daily
  • Children: 8 mg/kg/day TMP, 40 mg/kg/day SMZ in 2 divided doses
• Contraindicated in pregnant women at term, nursing mothers, and infants <2 months 1

Critical Timing Considerations

Antibiotics should be initiated immediately upon clinical suspicion without awaiting culture confirmation. 2, 5

Treatment Effectiveness by Disease Stage

Catarrhal phase (first ~2 weeks):

• Antibiotics reduce coughing paroxysms by approximately 50% 2, 5
• Rapidly clear B. pertussis from nasopharynx 1, 2
• Decrease complications and disease severity 2, 5

Paroxysmal phase (>3 weeks from cough onset):

• Minimal clinical benefit to the patient 1, 2
• Treatment remains essential to eradicate organism and prevent transmission 1, 2
• 80-90% of untreated patients spontaneously clear bacteria within 3-4 weeks 1

Post-Exposure Prophylaxis

Use identical antimicrobial regimens and dosing as for treatment. 1

Priority Groups for Prophylaxis

Prophylaxis should be administered within 21 days of exposure to: 1

• All household and close contacts regardless of vaccination status
• Infants <12 months (especially <4 months) - highest priority due to severe/fatal complication risk
• Pregnant women in third trimester
• Healthcare workers with known exposure
• Childcare workers with infant contact

Prophylaxis Administration Guidelines

• Administer to asymptomatic contacts who had direct contact with respiratory secretions during catarrhal or paroxysmal stages 1
• Coughing household contacts should be treated as if they have pertussis, not given prophylaxis 1
• Asymptomatic contacts receiving prophylaxis may continue normal activities 5

Special Considerations for Pregnant and Breastfeeding Women

Pregnant women:

• Azithromycin is the preferred agent (same adult dosing: 500 mg day 1, then 250 mg days 2-5) 1, 2
• TMP-SMZ is contraindicated at term 1
• Prophylaxis is critical for third-trimester women to prevent transmission to newborn 1, 5

Breastfeeding women:

• Azithromycin is preferred (same adult dosing) 1
• TMP-SMZ is contraindicated in nursing mothers 1

Critical Safety Warnings

Infantile Hypertrophic Pyloric Stenosis (IHPS)

Erythromycin carries a dose-dependent IHPS risk in young infants: 1, 3, 6

• 5.1% absolute risk for 8-14 days of therapy
• 10% absolute risk for 15-21 days of therapy
• Risk is highest in infants <1 month
• Azithromycin has NOT been associated with IHPS and is strongly preferred 1, 2

Parents must be instructed to contact physician immediately if infant develops: 3

• Non-bilious vomiting
• Irritability with feeding

Drug Interactions and Contraindications

Azithromycin:

• Do NOT administer simultaneously with aluminum- or magnesium-containing antacids (reduces absorption) 1, 2
• Does NOT inhibit cytochrome P450 enzymes (unlike erythromycin/clarithromycin) 2
• Use caution in patients with impaired hepatic function 2

Erythromycin and Clarithromycin:

• Inhibit cytochrome P450 system - monitor for interactions with digoxin, triazolam, ergot alkaloids 2
• Should NOT be given with astemizole, cisapride, pimozide, or terfenadine 1

Macrolides are absolutely contraindicated with history of hypersensitivity to any macrolide agent. 1, 2

Infection Control Measures

Isolation requirements: 1, 2, 5

• Isolate patient at home and away from work/school for 5 days after starting antibiotics
• If antibiotics cannot be administered, isolation must continue for 21 days from cough onset
• Secondary attack rate exceeds 80% among susceptible household contacts 2, 5

Healthcare facility precautions: 1

• Place confirmed/suspected pertussis patients in private rooms or cohort with other pertussis cases
• Wear surgical mask when within 3 feet of patient
• Continue droplet precautions until 5 days of antimicrobial therapy completed
• Symptomatic healthcare workers must be restricted from work during first 5 days of therapy 1

Therapies That Should NOT Be Used

The following have NO proven benefit and should be avoided: 2, 5, 4

• Long-acting β-agonists
• Antihistamines
• Systemic corticosteroids
• Pertussis-specific immunoglobulin

Hospitalization Criteria and Monitoring

Strongly consider admission for: 1, 5

• All infants <4 months (highest risk of apnea, pneumonia, seizures, death)
• Infants <12 months with severe symptoms

Monitor all patients for: 2, 5

• Weight loss, sleep disturbance, post-tussive vomiting
• Pressure-related complications: pneumothorax, epistaxis, subconjunctival hemorrhage, rib fractures
• Infectious complications: bacterial pneumonia, otitis media
• Neurological events: seizures, hypoxic encephalopathy

Common Pitfalls to Avoid

Do NOT delay treatment waiting for laboratory confirmation - clinical suspicion alone warrants immediate antibiotic initiation 2, 5, 4

Do NOT rule out pertussis based on vaccination status - immunity wanes after 5-10 years and breakthrough infections are common 2, 5

Do NOT assume treatment is futile in late disease - while clinical benefit may be limited after 3 weeks, treatment remains essential to prevent transmission 2, 4

Do NOT withhold azithromycin in infants <6 months due to lack of FDA licensure - CDC explicitly recommends its use because benefits of preventing severe disease outweigh potential risks 1, 2

Do NOT use erythromycin in infants <6 months - the IHPS risk is unacceptably high when safer alternatives exist 1, 2, 3