Table of ContentsView AllTable of ContentsWhat Is Whooping Cough?SymptomsCausesDiagnosisTreatmentRisk FactorsComplicationsVaccine and PreventionWhen to See a Provider
Table of ContentsView All
View All
Table of Contents
What Is Whooping Cough?
Symptoms
Causes
Diagnosis
Treatment
Risk Factors
Complications
Vaccine and Prevention
When to See a Provider
It’s called whooping cough because of the distinct “whoop” sound a person makes when they breathe in after coughing. Individuals with whooping cough often experience severe, violent coughing fits.
Though whooping cough can affect anyone, it can be particularly dangerous for babies who aren’tvaccinatedagainst pertussis. Whooping cough can causeseizures, brain damage,pneumonia, or even death in infants. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) recommends that people of all ages get vaccinated against pertussis.
This article will explain everything you need to know about whooping cough, including its symptoms, causes, complications, and treatment options.
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Whooping cough is abacterial infection, which means you can get it when you’re exposed to certain germs. The type of bacterium that causes whooping cough is calledBordetella pertussis.
How Many People Get Whooping Cough?There are about 24.1 million cases of whooping cough and 160,700 deaths from it worldwide per year.
How Many People Get Whooping Cough?
There are about 24.1 million cases of whooping cough and 160,700 deaths from it worldwide per year.
Pertusis
Stages
There are three stages of whooping cough, which are categorized based on symptoms:
Whooping Cough vs. the Common ColdUnlike a cold, people who have pertussis can have a cough that persists for weeks or months.
Whooping Cough vs. the Common Cold
Unlike a cold, people who have pertussis can have a cough that persists for weeks or months.
Whooping Cough Symptoms
Symptoms of whooping cough typically develop within five to 10 days after a person comes in contact with theBordetella pertussisbacterium. However, symptoms sometimes don’t crop up for as long as three weeks or so.
At first, the signs of whooping cough may look like nothing more than thecommon cold. However, as the infection progresses, it can cause its signature symptoms, such as:
Whooping Cough Symptoms in Babies
What Causes Whooping Cough?
How Long Are you Contagious With Whooping Cough?Typically, you’re considered contagious with whooping cough for about two weeks after you start coughing.If you take antibiotics, you may not be contagious for as long.
How Long Are you Contagious With Whooping Cough?
Typically, you’re considered contagious with whooping cough for about two weeks after you start coughing.If you take antibiotics, you may not be contagious for as long.
How Is Whooping Cough Diagnosed?
To help diagnose whooping cough, your health provider may perform:
Whooping Cough Treatment
Whooping cough is typically treated withantibiotics. Starting treatment before coughing fits begin can lessen the severity of the illness and help prevent the transmission of the infection to others.
If you’ve had whooping cough for more than three weeks, antibiotics are not expected to help your condition because your body has likely already rid itself of the harmful bacteria.Pertussis bacteria generally die off naturally after this time.
Common AntibioticsSome antibiotics that commonly treat whooping cough include:Bactrim or Septra (trimethoprim-sulfamethoxazole)Biaxin (clarithromycin)Erythrocin (erythromycin)Zithromax (azithromycin)
Common Antibiotics
Some antibiotics that commonly treat whooping cough include:Bactrim or Septra (trimethoprim-sulfamethoxazole)Biaxin (clarithromycin)Erythrocin (erythromycin)Zithromax (azithromycin)
Some antibiotics that commonly treat whooping cough include:
Anyone who comes into contact with an individual who has a whooping cough infection is at risk of contracting the illness. However, some groups that have a greater chance of developing pertussis include:
Complications With Whooping Cough
Your risk of developing serious complications from whooping cough typically depends on your age.
Babies
Babies under 6 months and young children have a higher risk of experiencing more serious problems resulting from whooping cough. More than half of babies younger than age 1 who develop whooping cough are hospitalized.
Some possible complications that babies and children experience include:
Death Is Not a Common ComplicationAbout 1% of babies younger than age 1 who are treated in a hospital with whooping cough will die.
Death Is Not a Common Complication
About 1% of babies younger than age 1 who are treated in a hospital with whooping cough will die.
Older Children and Adults
Though complications are usually less serious in older children and adults, they may sometimes be severe and require hospitalization. Adults with underlying medical conditions may be at an increased risk of developing a more severe case of whooping cough.
The Whooping Cough Vaccine and Prevention
The best way to protect yourself against whooping cough is to get vaccinated.DTaPandTdap vaccinationshelp prevent whooping cough, tetanus, and diphtheria.
Babies require three shots of DTap to build protection againstdiphtheria,tetanus, and whooping cough. Young children should receive two booster shots to maintain protection.
The CDC recommends vaccinations at the following ages for babies and children:
When it comes to teens and adults, the CDC recommends:
Vaccine Side Effects
Vaccines for whooping cough are generally considered safe. Some possible side effects include:
Serious reactions, such as seizures, high fever, or persistent crying can happen but aren’t common. Rarely, older children who receive their fourth or fifth vaccine dose experience swelling of an entire arm or leg.
Good Hygiene Protects Against Whooping CoughGood hygiene can help prevent the transmission of bacteria that cause whooping cough and other illnesses. The CDC recommends that you:Cover your mouth with a tissue when you sneeze or cough and discard the tissue right away.Cough or sneeze into your arm sleeve or elbow if you don’t have a tissue.Wash hands frequently with soap and water for at least 20 seconds.Use hand sanitizer if soap isn’t available.
Good Hygiene Protects Against Whooping Cough
Good hygiene can help prevent the transmission of bacteria that cause whooping cough and other illnesses. The CDC recommends that you:Cover your mouth with a tissue when you sneeze or cough and discard the tissue right away.Cough or sneeze into your arm sleeve or elbow if you don’t have a tissue.Wash hands frequently with soap and water for at least 20 seconds.Use hand sanitizer if soap isn’t available.
Good hygiene can help prevent the transmission of bacteria that cause whooping cough and other illnesses. The CDC recommends that you:
Preventive Medications
Sometimes, healthcare providers will recommend preventive antibiotics for people who are exposed to whooping cough or are at a high risk of developing a severe infection. However, the CDC warns that antibiotics should only be prescribed when necessary to protect against overuse, antibiotic resistance, and possible side effects.
When to Contact a Healthcare Provider
You should contact a healthcare provider if you think you or your child has whooping cough or was exposed to someone with the infection.
It’s especially important to seek medical care if your child:
When to Seek Immediate CareCall 911 or go to the emergency room immediately if your child stops breathing, turns blue, or has a seizure.
When to Seek Immediate Care
Call 911 or go to the emergency room immediately if your child stops breathing, turns blue, or has a seizure.
Summary
Whooping cough is a contagious bacterial infection that can affect anyone but is more serious in babies and unvaccinated individuals. If your healthcare provider confirms you have the infection, they may prescribe an antibiotic.
The best way to prevent whooping cough is to get your recommended vaccinations. Proper hygiene can also help reduce the risk of transmission.
10 SourcesVerywell Health uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read oureditorial processto learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy.Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.Pertussis (whooping cough): signs and symptoms.National Foundation for Infectious Diseases.Whooping cough (pertussis).Stanford Medicine.Whooping cough (pertussis) in children.MedlinePlus.Whooping cough.Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.Pertussis (whooping cough): diagnosis and treatment.Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia.Pertussis (whooping cough).Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.Complications.Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.Pertussis (whooping cough): prevention.Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.Diphtheria, tetanus, and whooping cough vaccination: what everyone should know.Nationwide Children’s Hospital.Pertussis (whooping cough).
10 Sources
Verywell Health uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read oureditorial processto learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy.Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.Pertussis (whooping cough): signs and symptoms.National Foundation for Infectious Diseases.Whooping cough (pertussis).Stanford Medicine.Whooping cough (pertussis) in children.MedlinePlus.Whooping cough.Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.Pertussis (whooping cough): diagnosis and treatment.Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia.Pertussis (whooping cough).Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.Complications.Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.Pertussis (whooping cough): prevention.Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.Diphtheria, tetanus, and whooping cough vaccination: what everyone should know.Nationwide Children’s Hospital.Pertussis (whooping cough).
Verywell Health uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read oureditorial processto learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy.
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