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Overview

What Is Whooping Cough?

Whooping cough is a contagious bacterial respiratory illness caused by Bordetella pertussis, which infects the airways. It can affect people of any age, including adults and vaccinated people. Babies are at higher risk of serious illness because they may develop breathing problems or pauses in breathing. Understanding what is whooping cough and recognizing symptoms early can help protect vulnerable people.

Symptoms

Whooping Cough Symptoms

  • Runny nose during the early cold-like stage.
  • Mild fever during the early stage.
  • Repeated coughing fits, also called a paroxysmal cough.
  • Vomiting after coughing.
  • Exhaustion after coughing.
  • A high-pitched whoop when breathing in after a coughing fit.

How It Spreads

How Whooping Cough Spreads

People with whooping cough spread Bordetella pertussis through respiratory droplets and secretions released when they cough or sneeze. The bacteria can also spread during close contact, especially in homes and other shared spaces.

  • A person is usually most contagious during the early stages and may spread the infection for weeks without treatment.
  • Cold-like symptoms can lead to unnoticed spread because the illness may not yet be recognized as whooping cough.
  • Cover coughs and sneezes with a tissue or elbow and wash hands often to reduce transmission.
  • Avoid close contact with babies and other vulnerable people while ill or awaiting medical advice.
  • Follow clinician and public-health instructions about testing, treatment, staying home, and notifying close contacts.

Protect vulnerable people

Ask about exposure promptly

If you have been exposed and live with or regularly care for a baby or pregnant person, contact a healthcare professional promptly for individualized advice.

Risk Factors

Who Is at Risk for Whooping Cough?

  • Very young age, especially infancy, increases the risk of severe illness.
  • Incomplete or out-of-date vaccination increases the chance of infection.
  • Close household exposure to someone with whooping cough increases risk.
  • Pregnancy-related protection concerns may affect the health of both the pregnant person and baby.
  • A weakened immune system can make complications more likely.
  • Living or working around infants increases the chance of bringing the infection into contact with a vulnerable baby.

Some risk factors can be reduced, including missed vaccination and avoidable close exposure during illness. Very young age cannot be changed, so protecting babies depends on vaccination, early recognition, and limiting contact with contagious people.

Complications

Complications of Whooping Cough

  • Pneumonia can develop as a serious respiratory complication.
  • Dehydration may result from vomiting, poor intake, or difficulty feeding.
  • Weight loss may occur when coughing and illness interfere with feeding.
  • Seizures are an uncommon but serious possible complication.
  • Forceful coughing can cause complications such as broken blood vessels, hernias, or rib injuries.

Seek urgent help

Breathing problems can become serious

Breathing pauses, blue or gray coloring, severe breathing difficulty, or an inability to feed require urgent medical attention. Seek help promptly for these signs, especially in a baby.

Diagnosis

How Whooping Cough Is Diagnosed

Clinicians consider the duration and pattern of the cough, possible exposure, age, vaccination status, and examination findings. The classic whoop may be absent, so diagnosis does not depend on hearing a whooping cough sound.

  • A nasal or throat sample may be collected for molecular testing, such as a polymerase chain reaction test.
  • Culture or other laboratory methods may be used in some situations to identify the bacteria.
  • Testing timing can affect results because the amount of bacteria may change as the illness progresses or after antibiotics.
  • The clinician may interpret test results together with symptoms and exposure history rather than relying on one finding alone.

Treatment & Management

Whooping Cough Treatment and Management

MEDICAL TREATMENT

Clinicians may prescribe antibiotics to treat the infection and reduce the chance of spreading it. Treatment is generally most helpful when started early, and healthcare professionals decide which medicine is appropriate.

SUPPORTIVE CARE

Supportive care includes fluids, rest, monitoring breathing and feeding, and reducing exposure to smoke or other irritants. Clinicians decide whether an infant or high-risk person needs hospital care and closer monitoring.

  • Take prescribed medication exactly as directed and complete the treatment plan unless a clinician advises otherwise.
  • Avoid smoke, vaping aerosols, and other airway irritants that may worsen coughing.
  • Offer safe, age-appropriate fluids as advised by a healthcare professional to help prevent dehydration.
  • Follow infection-control guidance about masks, handwashing, staying home, and limiting close contact.
  • Infants with breathing, feeding, or hydration problems may need hospital monitoring.

Use medicines safely

Follow an individualized treatment plan

Contact a clinician before giving cough medicines to a child, particularly an infant. Follow public-health instructions about staying home and notifying close contacts.

Prevention

Preventing Whooping Cough

Routine pertussis vaccination is the main way to reduce the risk of severe whooping cough. Children need age-based vaccine doses and boosters according to the local schedule, and vaccination during pregnancy may help protect a newborn; follow local clinical guidance.

  • Stay current on recommended whooping cough vaccine doses and boosters.
  • Cover coughs and sneezes with a tissue or your elbow.
  • Wash hands regularly with soap and water or use hand sanitizer when needed.
  • Avoid close contact with others, especially infants, when you are ill.
  • Follow clinician guidance after a known exposure.
  • Ask a healthcare professional about protecting household members who are pregnant or very young.

Outlook and Prognosis

Outlook and Prognosis for Whooping Cough

Many people recover from whooping cough, but coughing fits can continue for weeks or longer. The fits usually become less frequent gradually, although a lingering cough may take time to settle.

  • Very young age is associated with a greater risk of serious illness and complications.
  • Vaccination generally lowers the risk of severe disease.
  • Early treatment may reduce spread and may be more helpful when started promptly.
  • Breathing problems require closer assessment and can affect the outlook.
  • Complications such as pneumonia, dehydration, or feeding problems can make recovery more difficult.

When Should You See a Doctor

When Should You See a Doctor for Whooping Cough?

Emergency care

Emergency warning signs

Seek immediate help for pauses in breathing, blue or gray lips or skin, severe breathing difficulty, fainting, a seizure, inability to drink, or marked unresponsiveness.

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