Whooping Cough – Symptoms and Causes

ByJanis Updated

Overview

Whooping cough (pertussis) is a highly contagious bacterial infection known for causing severe coughing fits followed by a distinctive “whooping” sound when breathing in. This respiratory illness was once primarily associated with children, but vaccination has shifted its impact.

Whooping cough most commonly affects:

  • Infants who haven’t completed their vaccination series
  • Teenagers and adults whose vaccine immunity has diminished
  • People with weakened protection from previous vaccinations

While usually not fatal, whooping cough can be life-threatening for babies. Pregnant individuals can provide crucial protection to their newborns by receiving a pertussis booster vaccine during pregnancy.

Healthcare providers also recommend vaccination for anyone who will have close contact with infants.

The disease spreads easily through respiratory droplets when infected people cough or sneeze. Early symptoms often resemble a mild cold before developing into the characteristic severe coughing episodes that can last for weeks or even months.

Symptoms

Whooping cough symptoms typically appear within 5 to 10 days of infection, though sometimes they may take up to three weeks to develop.

Early Stage Symptoms

  • Runny or stuffy nose
  • Red, watery eyes
  • Mild fever
  • Light cough

These initial symptoms often resemble a common cold.

After 1-2 weeks, the condition worsens as mucus accumulates in the airways, leading to uncontrollable coughing episodes.

Advanced Stage Symptoms

  • Severe coughing fits that can last weeks or months
  • Vomiting after intense coughing
  • Red or blue facial coloration during episodes
  • Extreme fatigue
  • High-pitched “whoop” sound when inhaling after coughing

It’s important to note that not everyone experiences the classic “whoop” sound. Teens and adults often have milder cases with a persistent hacking cough as the main symptom.

Symptoms in Babies and Young Children

Infants with whooping cough may not cough at all. Instead, they might:

  • Gag or struggle to breathe
  • Develop bluish or purple discoloration of skin, lips, or nails
  • Experience dangerous breathing pauses (apnea)

Nighttime often brings worse symptoms for patients of all ages. The coughing fits can be particularly troublesome during sleeping hours.

When to See a Doctor

Contact your healthcare provider if you or your child experiences severe coughing spells that lead to:

  • Vomiting
  • Skin turning red, purple, or blue
  • Making a whooping sound when breathing in
  • Not drinking enough fluids

Emergency situations require immediate attention. Call 911 or your local emergency number right away if breathing seems difficult or if you notice pauses in breathing. These symptoms may indicate a serious complication that needs urgent medical care.

Causes

Whooping cough develops from infection with the bacteria Bordetella pertussis. This illness spreads through the air when infected people cough or sneeze, releasing tiny droplets containing the bacteria.

You can catch whooping cough by:

  • Breathing in airborne droplets from an infected person
  • Spending extended time near someone with the infection
  • Sharing close breathing space with infected individuals

The disease is particularly concerning for newborns, who can become infected when held closely by someone carrying the bacteria. Transmission happens easily in settings where people gather in close proximity.

Risk Factors

Whooping cough protection from childhood vaccines decreases over time. This leaves teens and adults vulnerable during outbreaks, which still occur regularly.

The highest risk group includes babies under 12 months old. Infants who haven’t received any vaccine doses or haven’t completed their full vaccination series face the greatest danger of serious complications and death.

  • Age Factors: Babies under 1 year.
  • Vaccination Status: Incomplete or missing vaccinations.
  • Time Since Vaccination: Protection weakens years after childhood doses.

Teenagers and adults with faded immunity can also catch and spread the infection, especially during community outbreaks.

Possible Health Issues

Teenagers and adults usually get better from whooping cough without any problems. Some may experience side effects from intense coughing, including:

  • Bruised or cracked ribs
  • Abdominal hernia (tissue bulging through weakened stomach muscles)
  • Broken blood vessels in the skin or eyes

Other problems for teens and adults might include:

  • Loss of bladder control
  • Weight loss
  • Fainting

Babies and Young Children

Health problems are much more serious for babies with whooping cough, particularly those younger than 6 months. These can include:

  • Pneumonia (lung infection)
  • Ear infections
  • Breathing problems or pauses in breathing
  • Dehydration or weight loss from feeding difficulties
  • Seizures
  • Brain damage

Babies and toddlers face the highest risk of complications from whooping cough. They often need hospital treatment for these issues. For infants under 6 months old, these health problems can be life-threatening.

Ways to Prevent Whooping Cough

Vaccines and Their Side Effects

Pertussis vaccines provide the best protection against whooping cough. These vaccines are typically combined with protection against diphtheria and tetanus (DTaP).

Children should receive five shots at specific ages to build immunity:

  • 2 months old
  • 4 months old
  • 6 months old
  • 15โ€“18 months old
  • 4โ€“6 years old

Most vaccine reactions are mild and temporary. Common side effects include:

  • Low-grade fever
  • Irritability
  • Headache
  • Tiredness
  • Soreness where the shot was given

Protection Boosters

Immunity from whooping cough vaccines decreases over time, making booster shots necessary.

These boosters (called Tdap) protect against tetanus, diphtheria, and pertussis. Three groups need these boosters:

  • Pre-teens (11-12 years old): Protection from childhood vaccines typically fades by this age, making a booster essential.
  • Pregnant women: A Tdap shot between weeks 27-36 of pregnancy is recommended during each pregnancy. This helps protect both the mother and provides some immunity to the newborn during their vulnerable first months.
  • Adults: The standard recommendation is a tetanus-diphtheria booster every 10 years. If you haven’t had Tdap before, healthcare providers will likely give this instead since it protects against all three diseases.
    • Adults who will be around infants should get vaccinated at least two weeks before contact.

Preventive Medications

If you’ve been exposed to whooping cough, antibiotics might be recommended to prevent infection. These medications are particularly important for high-risk individuals. These include healthcare workers, pregnant women, and babies under 12 months.

Also, people with weakened immune systems, those with conditions like asthma, and household members of someone with whooping cough. Lastly, people living with high-risk individuals like infants or pregnant women.


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Health Writer

Janis's areas of expertise include nutrition, exercise, stress management, and mental health. She is passionate about educating and empowering people to take control of their health and make positive changes that can last a lifetime. Janis believes that small, sustainable changes are the key to long-term success, and she works with her clients to develop personalized plans that fit their individual needs and lifestyles.