As whooping cough cases increase in the United States, Dr. Jasjit Singh, a pediatric infectious disease specialist and medical director of infection prevention and control at Rady Children’s, provides expert verification of key information commonly asked about whooping cough.
What is a whooping cough?
Whooping cough, or pertussis, is a highly contagious bacterial infection that affects the airways and causes them to swell. It can lead to strong coughing spells that make it hard to breathe. Anyone can get it, but infants and young children are at the highest risk for complications.
How is it different from a cold?
Early on, whooping cough can look just like a cold—runny nose, mild cough, and low fever. But unlike a cold, the cough gets much more severe over time and can last for weeks.
Common symptoms
In the beginning, whooping cough symptoms can look like a common cold, but they typically develop in stages:
Early symptoms, which can last 1 to 2 weeks:
- runny or stuffy nose
- mild cough
- mild or no fever
Later symptoms:
- uncontrollable, often violent coughing fits that can make it hard to breathe
- a “whoop” sound when breathing in (more common in kids), babies are unlikely to whoop, but may stop breathing or have choking or gagging spells
- vomiting after coughing
- feeling very tired after coughing spells
How does whooping cough spread?
Pertussis spreads through droplets when someone coughs or sneezes. It’s very contagious. People often spread it before they even know they’re sick.
How contagious is it?
Whooping cough spreads easily, especially during the first couple of weeks when symptoms look like a regular cold. Without treatment, people can stay contagious for several weeks.
Who is most at risk?
Babies under 1 year of age and people with weakened immune systems are at higher risk of contracting whooping cough and experiencing serious complications from the infection. Because newborns are especially vulnerable and cannot begin their own vaccinations right away, we recommend that all pregnant women receive the Tdap vaccine during each pregnancy. This helps pass protective antibodies to the baby, offering vital early protection during the first few months of life.
How does it affect the body?
The bacteria irritate the airways, making it hard for the body to clear mucus. This can lead to long-lasting coughs and, in young children, more serious issues like trouble breathing or pneumonia.
How Is whooping cough diagnosed?
A healthcare provider will review the patient’s medical history and symptoms and listen to the lungs. If whooping cough is suspected, a nasal or throat swab may be collected to test for Bordetella pertussis, the bacteria that cause the infection. In some cases, blood tests or a chest X-ray may also be ordered to check for complications.
How is whooping cough treated?
If diagnosed early, antibiotics can help treat whooping cough by reducing the duration and severity of the infection and lowering the risk of spreading it to others.
In severe cases, hospitalization may be necessary to manage complications, particularly in young infants.
For older children, supportive care—including rest, fluids, and symptom monitoring—helps the body recover, though the cough can linger for weeks.
Later in the illness, antibiotics are generally less effective and may not be prescribed.
How can whooping cough be prevented?
Protection includes staying up to date on routine vaccinations, practicing good hand hygiene, and covering coughs and sneezes. The DTaP vaccine, given to infants and young children, and the Tdap vaccine, given to adolescents and adults, help protect against pertussis, as well as diphtheria and tetanus.
Because immunity fades over time, booster shots are important to maintain protection.
When should parents seek medical care?
It’s a good idea to contact a healthcare provider if a child has:
- a cough lasting more than a week
- coughing fits that are hard to stop
- vomiting after coughing
- trouble breathing
- symptoms in an infant, including pauses in breathing
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