I know i'm really late posting this, but whooping cough is not caused by dust in the air!

Whooping cough aka pertussis is a highly contagious bacterial infection that causes coughing with little or no fever. Coughing may result in vomiting or gagging. Some infected persons make a “whoop” sound when the person breathes in after coughing.

Pertussis is most dangerous to infants less than 1 year old who may develop pneumonia, convulsions, and rarely, brain damage or death.
Serious complications are less likely in older children and adults.

Symptoms appear between 6 to 21 days (average 7-10) after exposure to an infected person.
Pertussis usually starts with cold symptoms (runny nose, cough) followed by episodes of severe coughing that can last 1-2 months.
Vomiting may occur after coughing spells.
The person may look and feel healthy between coughing episodes.
Immunized school children, adolescents and adults have milder symptoms than young children.

Pertussis is spread to close contacts through droplets from the mouth and nose when an infected person coughs, sneezes or talks.
Persons treated with antibiotics are contagious until the first 5 days of appropriate antibiotic treatment have been completed.

Unimmunized or inadequately immunized people are at higher risk for severe disease.
Many cases occur in adults and older children because protection from the vaccine lasts only 5 to 10 years after the last dose.
Pertussis vaccine is used to protect young infants from severe disease and death, but even vaccinated persons can get less severe pertussis infections.

Antibiotics active against the pertussis bacteria are used to treat and prevent spread of pertussis to others.
Drink plenty of fluids to avoid dehydration (loss of fluids).

Pertussis vaccine is included in dtap vaccines.
Before age 7, children should get 5 doses of the dtap vaccine.
These are usually given at 2, 4, 6, and 15-18 months* of age and 4 - 6 years of age.
The 4th dose may be given as early as 12 months of age.
Persons with pertussis should stay home and avoid close contact with others until 5 days of antibiotic treatment for pertussis have been completed at which time they are no longer contagious.
If you live or have close contact with someone who has pertussis you might need to take antibiotics to prevent pertussis - contact your health care provider.
Persons with any cough illness should avoid contact with infants and expectant mothers, including visiting or working in labor, delivery, and nursery areas of hospitals and in child care settings.
Avoid sharing with infants any food, toys, or other object that may be contaminated with secretions from the mouth or nose of another person.