What Is Whooping Cough (Pertussis)?

Whooping cough—also known as pertussis—is a respiratory (lung-related) infection that causes intense coughing. In severe instances, the coughing can escalate to violent and rapid episodes, often resulting in vomiting. The name "whooping cough" comes from the distinct sound one might make while trying to inhale air after a long bout of coughing.

This condition is highly contagious and can affect people of all ages. However, whooping cough is particularly dangerous for unvaccinated infants. Alarmingly, approximately half of the infants under the age of one who contract whooping cough require hospitalization.

Symptoms by Stage

Whooping cough is an illness that has three distinct phases: catarrhal, paroxysmal, and convalescent. If you or your child develop the condition, you'll experience different symptoms during each phase.

Stage 1: Catarrhal

The catarrhal phase is the initial stage of whooping cough and typically lasts about one to two weeks. During this phase, you may experience the following symptoms:

• Runny or stuffy nose
• Sneezing
• Mild coughing
• Low-grade fever
• Malaise, or a general feeling of being unwell
• Apnea in infants (a temporary stop in breathing)

It's important to note that these symptoms can sometimes be mistaken for a common cold, making it challenging to diagnose whooping cough at this early stage.

Stage 2: Paroxysmal

The paroxysmal phase is the most severe stage of whooping cough. This phase usually lasts for one to six weeks but some people may experience symptoms for up to 10 weeks.

Symptoms of the paroxysmal phase include:

• Intense, uncontrollable, and rapid coughing fits
• The distinctive "whooping" sound when attempting to breathe in air after coughing
• Vomiting
• Extreme fatigue

These episodes can feel particularly distressing, especially for infants and young children.

Stage 3: Convalescent

The convalescent phase is the final stage of whooping cough and usually lasts two to three weeks. During this recovery phase, the intensity and frequency of coughing episodes gradually decrease and the overall symptoms begin to improve.

However, people may be at risk for other respiratory infections for many months after they experience whooping cough. In particular, infants—especially those who have not completed vaccinations or are too young to become vaccinated—are vulnerable to severe complications from whooping cough. That said, talking to your child's healthcare provider about when to receive the whooping cough vaccine is crucial to prevent and manage this infection.

Causes

Whooping cough is caused by a type of bacteria called Bordetella pertussis. This bacterium causes a highly contagious respiratory infection that primarily affects your airways, throat, and lungs. You can contract this type of bacteria through respiratory droplets or germs when someone with whooping cough sneezes, coughs, or breathes near another person.

In some cases, you may contract whooping cough by touching a surface contaminated with the bacteria and then touching your nose or mouth. Once you develop whooping cough, you remain contagious for approximately two weeks after the onset of coughing. Keep in mind: you are at a higher risk of transmitting the infection to others during this time period.

Diagnosis

If you or your child has symptoms of whooping cough, it's important to see a healthcare provider for testing. They can use a variety of tests to provide you with an accurate diagnosis and get you started on treatment to relieve symptoms. The process of diagnosing whooping cough may involve the following exams:

• Medical history questionnaire to learn about your symptoms
• Physical exam to assess your body for visible signs of the infection
• Mucus swab from the back of the throat to detect the presence of the pertussis bacteria

Treatment

If you receive a diagnosis for whooping cough, your healthcare provider will likely recommend a combination of treatments including antibiotics and supportive care. In severe cases, hospitalization may be necessary—particularly for infants or young children with serious symptoms. The goals of treatment are to relieve your symptoms, prevent complications from occurring, and reduce your risk of spreading the infection to someone else.

Your treatments may include:

• Antibiotics: May include taking oral pills of Zithromax (azithromycin), EryPed (erythromycin), or Klaricid (clarithromycin)
• Supportive care: Involves getting plenty of rest, increasing your intake of clear fluids, avoiding irritants that can trigger or worsen coughing, and eating smaller meals to help prevent vomiting
  

How to Prevent Whooping Cough 

Those who are at an increased risk of contracting whooping cough are people who have not yet received the whooping cough vaccine, known as the Tdap vaccine (for adults) or DTaP vaccine (for children). To lower your risk of getting whooping cough, consider vaccination as a means to protect yourself against the infection and prevent spreading the infection to others.

It's important to note that healthcare providers generally administer the DTaP vaccine to young children as part of their pediatric vaccination schedule. However, a booster vaccine called Tdap is recommended for adolescents and adults.

If you or a loved one live with someone who develops whooping cough, you can also ask your healthcare provider for post-exposure antimicrobial prophylaxis for whooping cough—a type of medication that can prevent you from developing symptoms after being exposed to the infection. This medication can be especially useful for those who are unvaccinated.

Complications

Whooping cough can lead to several complications, particularly in infants and young children. The severity of complications can vary, but they can be serious and sometimes life-threatening. When left untreated, whooping cause can cause the following complications in babies and children:

• A temporary stop in breathing, known as apnea
• Pneumonia
• Uncontrollable shaking
• Encephalopathy, a disease that causes decreased blood flow to the brain

Adolescents and adults typically experience different complications. Alongside severe coughing fits, you may also experience the following:

• Loss of consciousness
• Fractured ribs from coughing
• Unintentional weight loss
• Loss of bladder control

A Quick Review

Whooping cough is a highly contagious respiratory infection that causes severe coughing episodes and affects your throat and lungs. You or your child can contract whooping cough from a type of bacteria known as Bordetella pertussis. Those most vulnerable to the infection are people who are not vaccinated with the whooping cough vaccine—known as the DTaP vaccine (for children) and the Tdap vaccine (for adults).

The infection produces symptoms in three distinct stages. During the initial catarrhal phase, it's common to experience mild coughing and a runny nose that can look similar to a common cold. The paroxysmal phase is the most severe, causing frequent and intense coughing episodes and a whooping or wheezing sound when you breathe. The final convalescent phase is the recovery stage which occurs when symptoms gradually start to improve.

If you or your child are displaying symptoms of whooping cause, it's essential to see a healthcare provider as soon as possible to receive an accurate diagnosis, get started on treatment, and lower your risk of complications or spreading the infection to others.