Whooping Cough (Pertussis) in Children: What to Know
Whooping cough, also called pertussis, is an infection that causes very bad coughing attacks. The infection is contagious, which means it spreads from person to person.
Whooping cough can be very serious, especially in infants.
What are the causes?
Whooping cough is caused by germs called bacteria. It spreads when a person:
What increases the risk?
Your child is more likely to get whooping cough if:
They're around many kids at daycare or school.
They go to crowded places.
They touch their mouth, eyes, or nose without washing their hands first.
They haven't gotten the shot (vaccine).
What are the signs or symptoms?
At first, your child may have cold-like symptoms that last for 1–2 weeks, such as:
Runny nose.
Low fever.
Mild cough.
Watery poop (diarrhea).
Red, watery eyes.
Starting 10–14 days into the illness, your child may have very bad and sudden cough attacks. These may:
Happen often and last for up to 2 minutes.
Cause children older than 6 months to gasp or make whooping sounds to get air. Younger infants may stop breathing for a brief moment.
Cause gagging or throwing up.
Make your child feel very tired.
How is this diagnosed?
Whooping cough may be diagnosed based on:
How is this treated?
Whooping cough can be treated with antibiotics. These may:
Help your child get better faster and be less contagious, if started right away.
Be given to everyone in your home to keep them safe from getting whooping cough.
Children, especially infants, with very bad cases of whooping cough may need to stay at the hospital.
Even after treatment, your child might still have a mild cough for a while as their lungs heal.
Follow these instructions at home:
Medicines
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Give your child medicines only as told.
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Give your child antibiotics as told. Do not stop giving the antibiotics even if your child starts to feel better.
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Do not give your child cough medicine unless your child's provider tells you to.
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Do not give your child aspirin. It can make your child very sick.
To help control coughing:
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If your child has a coughing attack, have them sit up straight.
- Use a humidifier to make the air moist. This will:
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Keep your child away from smoke and strong smells. These may make their cough worse.
Preventing the spread of infection
- Keep your child away from infants and people who haven't had a whooping cough vaccine or booster shot. They should check with their providers.
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Do not take your child to school or daycare until they have taken the antibiotics for 5 days.
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If no antibiotics are given, keep your child out of school and daycare for the first 3 weeks of coughing, or as told by your child's provider.
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Tell your child's school or daycare that your child has whooping cough.
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Have your child and all who live in your home wash their hands often with soap and water for at least 20 seconds. If they can't use soap and water, they should use hand sanitizer.
General instructions
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Have your child rest as much as they can.
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Ask what things are safe for your child to do at home. Ask when your child can go back to school.
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Give your child more fluids as told.
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Have your child eat small meals often instead of three big meals a day. This can lessen the chance of throwing up.
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Watch your child. Take note of any changes.
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Keep all follow-up visits. Your child's provider will check how your child is doing and see if the treatment is working.
How is this prevented?
Whooping cough can be prevented with a vaccine and booster shots later on. Talk with your child's provider about the vaccine.
Contact a health care provider if:
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Your child can't stop throwing up.
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Your child isn't able to eat or drink.
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Your child's cough doesn't get better.
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Your child has a fever.
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Your child is restless or can't sleep.
Contact your child's provider right away if:
Your baby is younger than 3 months old and has a temperature of 100.4°F (38°C) or higher.
Your child is 3 months old or older and has a temperature of 102.2°F (39°C) or higher.
Your child has a fever, and they look or act sick in a way that worries you.
If you can't reach the provider, go to an urgent care or emergency room.
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Your child's lips or skin turn red or blue while coughing.
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Your child passes out after a coughing spell, even for a moment.
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Your child has trouble breathing, has fast or slow breathing, or stops breathing.
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Your child doesn't have energy or is sleeping too much.
- Your child is younger than 1 year old, and you see signs of dehydration. This is when there's not enough water in the body. Signs may include:
- Your child is 1 year old or older, and you see signs of dehydration. These may include:
These symptoms may be an emergency. Do not wait to see if the symptoms will go away. Call 911 right away.
This information is not intended to replace advice given to you by your health care provider. Make sure you discuss any questions you have with your health care provider.
