Whooping Cough

Key Points

Overview

Whooping cough, or pertussis, is a very contagious infection that affects the lungs and breathing tubes. It spreads easily through airborne droplets when an infected person coughs or sneezes. While anyone can get whooping cough, it poses a significant risk to babies and pregnant individuals. The infection starts like a common cold, but after about a week, it develops into severe coughing fits. These fits can make it hard to breathe and may cause a characteristic "whooping" sound. The cough can last for weeks or even months. Treatment often involves antibiotics if caught early, which helps stop the spread. Hospital care may be necessary for severe cases, especially in young infants. Vaccination is the most effective way to prevent whooping cough and protect vulnerable populations.

Signs and Symptoms

• Runny nose and sore throat (early)
• Coughing bouts lasting minutes
• Worse coughing at night
• "Whooping" sound after coughing
• Difficulty breathing after coughing
• Turning blue or grey (infants)
• Bringing up thick mucus or vomiting
• Red face during coughing (adults)
• Cough lasting several weeks or months

Things That Increase the Risk

• Being unvaccinated
• Close contact with an infected person
• Being a baby under 12 months old
• Being pregnant
• Working in healthcare or childcare

Diagnosis

• Clinical assessment by a doctor
• Review of symptoms and medical history
• Physical examination

Treatment & Management

• Antibiotics (if diagnosed early)
• Hospital treatment for severe cases or young babies
• Plenty of rest
• Drinking lots of fluids
• Paracetamol or ibuprofen for discomfort
• Completing full course of antibiotics

Prevention

• Getting vaccinated (babies, children, pregnant individuals)
• Following routine vaccination schedules
• Staying home when contagious
• Practicing good hand hygiene

Related Diseases

• Pneumonia
• Bronchitis
• Croup
• Common Cold

Available Treatments

Explore our range of treatment options for Whooping Cough: