Quick answer
What is whooping cough?
Whooping cough (pertussis) causes prolonged coughing fits — a whoop sound when breathing in after coughing in some cases — and vomiting after coughs. Most severe in young babies who may stop breathing. Vaccination in pregnancy protects newborns; children receive 6-in-1 and preschool boosters. Antibiotics help if started early. Phone 999 if a baby turns blue, stops breathing, or has apnoea during coughing.
Whooping cough — pertussis
Whooping cough (pertussis) is a bacterial infection (Bordetella pertussis) causing ** weeks to months of severe coughing**. The classic “whoop” on inspiration after a paroxysm gives the name — but babies may not whoop — instead they stop breathing (apnoea) — making it dangerous in infancy.
UK outbreaks cycle every few years — adult reservoirs infect unvaccinated or partially protected infants.
Symptoms by age
Babies (<6 months) — highest risk
- apnoea — life-threatening pauses in breathing
- cyanosis — turning blue during cough
- no whoop often
- feeding difficulty
- hospitalisation common
Older children and adults
- paroxysmal cough — repeated violent coughs in one bout
- whoop on deep breath in (not universal)
- vomiting after coughing
- exhaustion
- subconjunctival haemorrhage from cough force — alarming but benign
Catarrhal phase (week 1 to 2): resembles common cold — most infectious — antibiotics work best if started here.
Duration — the 100-day cough
| Phase | Duration |
|---|---|
| Catarrhal | 1 to 2 weeks |
| Paroxysmal | 2 to 8 weeks |
| Convalescent | Weeks to months |
Total: often 10 to 12 weeks — cough persists despite antibiotics if started late.
Vaccination
Childhood schedule:
- 6-in-1 vaccine — includes pertussis — 8, 12, 16 weeks
- 4-in-1 preschool booster — 3 years 4 months
Pregnancy:
- Boostrix-IPV or similar from 16 weeks every pregnancy
- protects newborn via transplacental antibodies
Not 100% — but reduces severity and ** infant mortality** dramatically.
Treatment
Antibiotics (if within 21 days of onset or to protect contacts):
- azithromycin
- clarithromycin
- co-trimoxazole — alternatives
After 3 weeks: still treat to prevent transmission even if cough continues.
Supportive:
- avoid smoke
- small meals — vomiting risk
- hospital — oxygen, monitoring for infants
Cough suppressants — not recommended in young children — ineffective and risky.
When to call 999
- baby stops breathing or turns blue
- prolonged coughing without breathing
- dehydration — not feeding
- seizures from coughing or hypoxia
Complications
- pneumonia
- brain damage from hypoxia — infants
- weight loss
- rib fractures — adults from cough force (rare)
Whooping cough vs croup vs asthma
| Whooping cough | Croup | Asthma | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Sound | Whoop, vomit | Barking, stridor | Wheeze |
| Duration | Months | Days | Variable |
| Age peak | All — babies worst | 6 months to 3 years | Any |
See croup guide.
Prevention around newborns
- pregnant women vaccinated
- ** cocooning** — family boosters where advised
- keep sick adults away from newborns
- early GP if cough exposure
Whooping cough kills infants every year in UK — vaccination in pregnancy and childhood plus recognising apnoea in babies saves lives.
Common questions
- What does whooping cough sound like?
- Violent coughing bouts followed by a gasping whoop when breathing in — not everyone whoops, especially babies and adults. Coughing may end with vomiting or exhaustion. Between paroxysms people may seem well — cough worse at night.
- How long does whooping cough last?
- Three phases — catarrhal (cold-like 1 to 2 weeks), paroxysmal (severe coughing 2 to 8 weeks), convalescent (gradual improvement weeks to months). Total illness often 2 to 3 months — antibiotics in catarrhal phase shorten infectious period but may not shorten cough much if started late.
- Can adults get whooping cough?
- Yes — immunity from childhood vaccine wanes. Adults often have milder prolonged cough without whoop — but can infect vulnerable babies. Consider diagnosis in adults with weeks of coughing fits with vomiting.
- How is whooping cough treated?
- Antibiotics (azithromycin, clarithromycin, co-trimoxazole) if within 3 weeks of onset — reduces transmission. Supportive care — small frequent meals, avoid cough triggers, hospital care for babies with apnoea or low oxygen. No cough medicine stops paroxysms effectively in children.
- Why do pregnant women get whooping cough vaccine?
- Maternal antibodies pass to baby before birth — protecting newborn in first vulnerable months until own vaccinations at 8 weeks. Offered 16 to 32 weeks each pregnancy — ideally 16 to 20 weeks. Combined with childhood schedule dramatically reduces infant deaths.