Whooping cough

Whooping cough, also called pertussis, is a serious respiratory infection caused by a type of bacteria called Bordetella pertussis. The infection causes violent, uncontrollable coughing that can make it difficult to breathe.

While whooping cough can affect people at any age, it can be deadly for infants and young children.

According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), before a vaccine was available, whooping cough was a major cause of childhood deaths in the United States. The CDC reports the total number of cases of pertussis in 2016 was just under 18,000, with 7 deaths reported.

The incubation period (the time between initial infection and the onset of symptoms) for whooping cough is about 5 to 10 days, but symptoms might not appear for as long as three weeks, according to the CDC.

Early symptoms mimic the common cold and include a runny nose, cough, and fever. Within two weeks, a dry and persistent cough may develop that makes breathing very difficult.

Children often make a “whoop” sound when they try to take a breath after coughing spells, though this classic sound is less common in infants.

This type of severe cough can also cause:

  • vomiting
  • blue or purple skin around the mouth
  • dehydration
  • low-grade fever
  • breathing difficulties

Adults and teenagers typically experience milder symptoms, such as a prolonged cough without the “whoop” sound.

If you or your child experience symptoms of whooping cough, seek medical attention right away, especially if members of your family haven’t been immunized.

Whooping cough is highly contagious — bacteria can become airborne when an infected person coughs, sneezes, or laughs — and can quickly spread to others.

Diagnosis

To diagnose whooping cough, your doctor will perform a physical exam and take samples of mucus in the nose and throat. These samples will then be tested for the presence of the B. pertussis bacteria. A blood test may also be necessary to make an accurate diagnosis.

Treatment

Many infants and some young children will need to be hospitalized during treatment, for observation and respiratory support. Some may need intravenous (IV) fluids for dehydration if symptoms prevent them from drinking enough fluids.

Since whooping cough is a bacterial infection, antibiotics are the primary course of treatment. Antibiotics are most effective in the early stages of whooping cough. They can also be used in the late stages of the infection to prevent it from spreading to others.

While antibiotics can help treat the infection, they don’t prevent or treat the cough itself.

However, cough medicines aren’t recommended — they have no effect on whooping cough symptoms and may carry harmful side effects for infants and small children.

Most doctors suggest using humidifiers in your child’s bedroom to keep air moist and help alleviate symptoms of whooping cough.

Infants with whooping cough require close monitoring to avoid potentially dangerous complications due to lack of oxygen. Serious complications include:

  • brain damage
  • pneumonia
  • seizures
  • bleeding in the brain
  • apnea (slowed or stopped breathing)
  • convulsions (uncontrollable, rapid shaking)
  • death

If your infant experiences symptoms of infection, call your doctor immediately.

Older children and adults can experience complications as well, including:

Symptoms of whooping cough can last up to four weeks or longer, even during treatment. Children and adults generally recover quickly with early medical intervention.

Infants are at the highest risk of whooping cough-related deaths, even after starting treatment.

Parents should monitor infants carefully. If symptoms persist or get worse, contact your doctor right away.

Vaccination is the key to prevention. The CDC recommends vaccination for infants at:

  • 2 months
  • 4 months
  • 6 months

Booster shots are needed for children at:

  • 15 to 18 months
  • 4 to 6 years and again at 11 years old

Children aren’t the only ones vulnerable to whooping cough. Talk to your doctor about getting vaccinated if you:

  • work with, visit, or care for infants and children
  • are over the age of 65
  • work in the healthcare industry