Whooping Cough Tests
Reviewed
Also called: pertussis test, bordetella pertussis culture, PCR, antibodies (IgA, IgG, IgM)
A whooping cough test usually uses fluid from your nose to help diagnose whooping cough, also known as pertussis.
Specimen: fluid and cells from the back of the nose (nasopharyngeal swab or nasal aspirate/wash); also blood for antibody tests
Why this test may be ordered
- exposure to someone with whooping cough
- symptoms of whooping cough (runny nose, mild fever, mild cough, apnea in babies, severe coughing fits with 'whoop', vomiting after coughing, tiredness after coughing fits)
Preparation and collection
You don't need any special preparations for a whooping cough test. However, if you have taken antibiotics in the days before your test, let your provider know. This may affect your test results.
Two types of tests are commonly used to diagnose whooping cough. Both tests use a sample of fluid and cells from the back of your nose.
There is very little risk to whooping cough tests. A nasal aspirate or wash may feel uncomfortable. A nasopharyngeal swab test may tickle, feel uncomfortable, or cause you to cough or gag.
Understanding results
To make a diagnosis for whooping cough, your provider can use your: test results, symptoms, medical history, potential exposures to whooping cough.
- Positive (bacteria culture): For a bacteria culture test: A positive result means that you have whooping cough. Limitation: If your test sample was taken too late or if you took antibiotics before your test, the results may not be accurate. Next step: Whooping cough is treated with antibiotic medicine. Antibiotics can make your infection less serious if you start treatment before your cough gets bad.
- Negative (bacteria culture): A negative result may mean that you don't have whooping cough, but it doesn't rule it out. Limitation: If your test sample was taken too late or if you took antibiotics before your test, the results may not be accurate. Next step: If you have questions about your test results or treatment, talk with your provider.
- Positive (PCR): For a PCR test: A positive result means that genetic material from the whooping cough bacteria was found in your test sample, and you probably have whooping cough. Limitation: But the PCR test may have found material from other related bacteria and mistaken it for whooping cough bacteria. Next step: Whooping cough is treated with antibiotic medicine. Antibiotics can make your infection less serious if you start treatment before your cough gets bad.
- Negative (PCR): A negative result means that you probably don't have whooping cough, but it doesn't rule it out. Limitation: It's possible that your sample didn't have enough bacteria for the test to be accurate. Next step: If you have questions about your test results or treatment, talk with your provider.
- Bacteria culture test is most accurate when done within the first two weeks after coughing begins; results may take up to a week.
- PCR test is most accurate when done within the first three weeks after coughing begins; results may be ready in as soon as two hours.
- Antibiotics taken before the test may affect results.
- Blood testing for whooping cough antibodies is not recommended for diagnosing a current infection; if vaccinated, certain antibodies will appear in results.
What to do next
Whooping cough is treated with antibiotic medicine. Antibiotics can make your infection less serious if you start treatment before your cough gets bad. Treatment may also help prevent you from spreading the disease to others. If you have questions about your test results or treatment, talk with your provider.
- What do my test results mean for my health?
- Do I need treatment for whooping cough?
- How can I prevent spreading whooping cough to others?
- When should I or my child return for follow-up care?
Evidence source
Source: U.S. National Library of Medicine (MedlinePlus). Practices and reference ranges may differ in your country.