| During diagnostic testing for pertussis, a nasopharyngeal specimen should be obtained for both culture and polymerase chain reaction analysis. | C | 15, 19 |
| Pertussis should be treated with the intent of microbiological eradication and potentially decreasing transmission. Physicians should keep in mind that treatment of pertussis with antibiotics does not lead to improvement of clinical symptoms. | A | 3, 21 |
| For patients who cannot tolerate macrolide antibiotics, trimethoprim/sulfamethoxazole should be prescribed for treatment and prophylaxis of pertussis. Clindamycin is another alternative. | A | 3, 22 |
| Antibiotic prophylaxis should be considered for persons exposed to pertussis, especially those at high risk of complications, and during epidemics. | B | 3, 4, 27, 28 |
| Azithromycin (Zithromax) should be considered the preferred agent for the treatment and prophylaxis of pertussis. | A | 3, 4, 21, 22 |
| The Tdap vaccine should be administered to adolescents and adults, including those 65 years and older, in place of a single Td booster when such a booster is due. | C | 34 |
| The Tdap vaccine should be administered to children with an incomplete DTaP series when they are due for immunization, and also to persons with an unknown vaccination status. | C | 38 |
