Sportsdude, Whooping Cough aka Pertussis, is highly contagious in areas of British Columbia. Not many DR's still test for it, because they are assuming most adults are immunized against it, this is not often the case, sometimes that immunization wears off. Also ask to be tested for Bordetella para-pertussis while you are at it. It is better to be sure you do not have it and find it is just some cold than find out later you were exposed to something more serious. best to see if you were exposed to it or if you have it.... If you do have it, cause it is highly contagious those you have been exposed to will also need to be tested.
Symptoms to be aware of... Courtesy of Wiki
After an incubation period that is typically seven to ten days, pertussis in infants or young children is characterized initially by mild respiratory infection symptoms such as mild coughing, sneezing, or runny nose (catarrhal stage). After one to two weeks, the coughing develops into uncontrollable fits, each with five to ten forceful coughs, followed by a high-pitched "whoop" sound as the patient struggles to breathe in afterwards (paroxysmal stage). Coughing fits are sometimes followed by vomiting, which can lead to malnutrition. Fits can occur on their own or can be triggered by yawning, stretching, laughing, eating or yelling; they usually occur in groups, with multiple episodes every hour around the clock. This stage lasts two to eight weeks, or sometimes longer. A gradual transition then occurs to the convalescent stage, which usually lasts one to two weeks. Common complications of the disease include pneumonia, encephalopathy, earache, or seizures. Infection in newborns is particularly severe.
