Quick Facts
- Sample: Blood serum
- Fasting: Not required
- Turn-around: 3–5 business days. May take longer based on weather, holiday, or lab delays.
Benefits
- Know your immunity status — determine if you're protected after vaccination or prior infection
- Diagnose recent exposure — identify current or past whooping cough infection without a doctor's order
- Convenient and private — order online and visit any lab location at your convenience
- Fast results — receive results within 3-5 days to guide health decisions
- Protect vulnerable contacts — confirm infection status to prevent spread to infants and high-risk individuals
Who Is This Test For?
- Adults or children experiencing persistent cough lasting 2+ weeks with "whooping" sound
- Close contacts of confirmed pertussis cases needing exposure verification
- Healthcare workers or caregivers requiring immunity confirmation for workplace safety
- Parents wanting to verify vaccination effectiveness in their children
- Individuals in communities experiencing pertussis outbreaks (20,000+ annual U.S. cases)
How It Works – Just 3 Steps
- Order online — select your test without a physician referral and choose a convenient lab location
- Visit the lab — a trained phlebotomist collects a small blood sample during a quick appointment
- Access your results — review secure, confidential results online within 3-5 business days
FAQ
What antibodies does this test measure? This test detects IgG, IgM, and IgA antibodies against Bordetella pertussis, the bacteria causing whooping cough. Each antibody type indicates different infection or immunity stages.
Can I take this test if I've been vaccinated? Yes. Vaccinated individuals typically show detectable IgG antibodies, which differ from active infection profiles showing elevated IgM and IgA (Mayo Clinic 2024).
How accurate is this blood test? IgM and IgA ELISA tests demonstrate 85-95% diagnostic sensitivity when combined with clinical history, making them highly reliable for pertussis confirmation (American Journal of Clinical Microbiology 2022).
What if my results are equivocal? Equivocal results mean antibody levels are borderline. Your provider may recommend repeat testing in 10-14 days for clarification.
Is this test better than a PCR test? PCR detects bacterial DNA early in infection (first 2-3 weeks), while antibody testing works best after 3-4 weeks of symptoms. They serve different diagnostic windows.
Do I need to fast before this test? No fasting is required. Inform the lab about recent vaccinations or medications that might affect results.
More Details
What is the purpose of this test?
This blood test measures three antibody types—IgG, IgM, and IgA—produced when your immune system responds to Bordetella pertussis infection or vaccination. Whooping cough is a highly contagious respiratory disease transmitted through coughing, sneezing, and close contact. The infection progresses through three distinct stages: the catarrhal stage (1-2 weeks with mild cold symptoms), the paroxysmal stage (1-8 weeks with severe coughing fits and characteristic "whoop"), and the convalescent stage (2-3 weeks of gradual recovery). Using enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) technology, this test provides semi-quantitative measurements that help diagnose current infections, confirm past exposure, or verify immunity status (ARUP Laboratories 2024).
Who would benefit from this test?
Anyone experiencing a persistent cough with whooping sounds should consider testing, especially after 3-4 weeks of symptoms when antibodies become detectable. Close contacts of diagnosed pertussis patients benefit from screening to prevent transmission to vulnerable populations. Healthcare workers, daycare providers, and caregivers of infants need immunity verification since complications like apnea, pneumonia, and death disproportionately affect babies. Individuals in outbreak areas or those wanting post-vaccination immunity confirmation also benefit. Early detection reduces hospitalization costs and morbidity by up to 50%, particularly protecting high-risk groups (Johns Hopkins Medicine 2024).
When should I order a B Pertussis IgG, IgM, & IgA Antibodies Blood Test?
Order this test if you've had cold symptoms followed by severe coughing lasting 2+ weeks, especially with a characteristic "whoop" after coughing fits. Test if you've had close contact with someone diagnosed with whooping cough, even without symptoms. Consider testing during community outbreaks, as the U.S. reports over 20,000 pertussis cases annually despite widespread vaccination (CDC 2024). Order 3-4 weeks after symptom onset for optimal antibody detection, as earlier testing may produce false negatives. Post-vaccination testing verifies immunity development. Infants showing apnea or choking episodes require immediate medical evaluation beyond serology testing.
How do I interpret the results?
Negative
- Meaning: No or low antibodies detected; no recent infection
- Action: No treatment needed unless symptoms persist
Equivocal
- Meaning: Borderline antibody levels; unclear status
- Action: Repeat testing in 10–14 days
Positive IgM/IgA
- Meaning: Recent or current infection (antibodies peak at 2–3 months)
- Action: Consult provider; antibiotics may be needed if in early stage
Positive IgG only
- Meaning: Past infection or vaccination; indicates immunity
- Action: No immediate action; maintain vaccination schedule
Positive IgG + IgM/IgA
- Meaning: Active infection with prior exposure or vaccination history
- Action: Immediate medical consultation; isolation recommended
IgM and IgA antibodies typically persist only 2-3 months after infection, making them reliable markers for recent exposure.
Disclaimer: Reference ranges may vary by laboratory. Listed ranges are general guidelines and may differ from those used by the performing lab. Always consult your healthcare provider for interpretation.
Pre-test preparation
No fasting is required before this blood test. Drink water normally and take regular medications unless instructed otherwise. Inform the lab technician if you've received pertussis vaccination (Tdap/DTaP) within the past 6 months, as this affects IgG interpretation. Mention any immunosuppressive medications or conditions that might impact antibody production. Wear short sleeves or easily rolled-up clothing for venipuncture access. Avoid strenuous exercise immediately before testing. If you've had recent pertussis symptoms, note their duration and severity for your healthcare provider, as clinical context improves diagnostic accuracy when combined with serology results.
How often should I get tested?
- Suspected acute infection: Test once at 3–4 weeks post-symptom onset; repeat if results are equivocal
- Known exposure to pertussis: Test 3–4 weeks after contact if symptoms develop
- Post-vaccination verification: Test 4–6 weeks after Tdap/DTaP administration
- Outbreak surveillance: Test as recommended by public health authorities
- Healthcare worker clearance: Test per employer requirements or after confirmed exposure
- Routine immunity check: Not recommended; follow standard vaccination schedule instead
Why early detection matters
Early pertussis diagnosis enables timely antibiotic treatment during the catarrhal stage, reducing symptom severity and transmission risk by up to 80%. Prompt identification protects vulnerable populations, especially infants under 6 months who experience the highest mortality rates from whooping cough complications. Early detection allows implementation of post-exposure prophylaxis for close contacts, preventing household and community outbreaks. Epidemiological surveillance through testing helps public health officials track infection patterns and implement control measures. Confirming immunity status prevents unnecessary treatments and reduces healthcare costs. Despite vaccination programs, pertussis remains endemic, with early diagnosis reducing hospitalization rates and preventing life-threatening complications like pneumonia, seizures, and brain damage in high-risk individuals (Johns Hopkins Medicine 2024).
Related tests you may consider
Bordetella pertussis IgG Antibodies Blood Test — Measures IgG antibodies to B. pertussis and is commonly used to assess prior exposure, vaccination response, or later-stage infection.
Complete Blood Count (CBC) with Differential — Evaluates white blood cell patterns, including lymphocyte levels, which may support immune response assessment during suspected or recent pertussis infection.
Mycoplasma pneumoniae Antibodies (IgG and IgM) Blood Test — Helps differentiate pertussis from atypical bacterial respiratory infections with similar cough and upper respiratory symptoms.
