Guidelines for the use of erythromycin chemoprophylaxis in persons exposed to pertussis

In many countries pertussis is well controlled due to an effective vaccination programme. Nevertheless, the disease has not been eliminated, and cases still occur in the most vulnerable group of young infants. It is considered that these cases are most likely to have been infected by older household contacts, such as siblings or parents. Erythromycin chemoprophylaxis has been advocated to prevent secondary cases but the evidence for its use is weak.