Overview
Whooping cough is a bacterial infection causing violent coughing fits that can end in a high-pitched "whoop", vomiting or exhaustion — and the cough can drag on for weeks. It is most dangerous in young babies, who may stop breathing during fits. Routine pentavalent vaccination protects infants.
Symptoms
- Cold-like symptoms for the first week or two
- Fits of rapid, violent coughing
- A whooping sound when gasping in after a fit
- Vomiting after coughing
- Exhaustion after fits
- In young babies: pauses in breathing or turning blue instead of the whoop
Causes & risk factors
- Bordetella pertussis bacteria spread by coughs and sneezes
- Incomplete or missed infant vaccination
- Contact with infected older children or adults with a lingering cough
Treatment & self-care
Doctors prescribe antibiotics, which reduce spread and help if started early; young infants often need hospital observation because of the risk of breathing pauses. Keep the child rested, offer small frequent feeds and fluids, and keep the air smoke-free. Make sure all infants complete their routine vaccination series on time.
See a doctor urgently if
- Coughing fits in a baby under six months — urgent
- Pauses in breathing or lips turning blue during fits — emergency
- Vomiting after most coughing fits or signs of dehydration
- Coughing fits with exhaustion in any child