Early treatment and prophylaxis can make illness less serious and prevent the spread of infection.
Treatment of infection and prophylaxis for all asymptomatic household contacts is recommended within 21 days of the onset of symptoms.
Close contacts do not need medical evaluation for prophylaxis. Texas Administrative Code, Title 22, Part 9, Chapter 190, Subchapter B, §190.8
“Establishing a practitioner-patient relationship is not required for a physician to prescribe… drugs and/or vaccines for post-exposure prophylaxis of disease for close contacts of a patient… a “close contact” is defined as a member of the patient’s household or any person with significant exposure to the patient”
For more information, visit:
• Treatment of Whooping Cough | Pertussis (Whooping Cough) | CDC
• Postexposure Antimicrobial Prophylaxis | Pertussis (Whooping Cough) | CDC
• Recommended Antimicrobial Agents for the Treatment and Postexposure
Prophylaxis of Pertussis: 2005 CDC Guidelines
Report confirmed and suspected cases to:
Public Health Region 8
Epidemiology Program
Phone: 210-949-2121
Fax: 512-206-3995
Providers are encouraged to share this information with their staff. If you have any questions about this notice, please email Provider Relations at ProviderRelations@cfhp.com or call 210-358-6294. You can also contact your Provider Relations Representative directly.
To access all Provider alerts:
- Log into the Community First Provider Portal
- Go to CommunityFirstHealthPlans.com/Provider-News
- Sign up for the Community First Provider eNewsletter