What should you know about acellular pertussis symptoms?

Early pertussis can resemble a common cold, with a runny or blocked nose, watery eyes, a mild cough, sore throat, or a low fever. The cough may then come in forceful, repeated bouts that leave little time to breathe between coughs. A sharp intake of breath can make a whooping sound, but many adults and babies do not make this sound. Coughing may also bring up mucus, trigger vomiting, cause exhaustion, or make the face look flushed.

Babies may show feeding difficulty, poor colour, breathing trouble, or pauses in breathing instead of a noticeable cough. Vaccinated people can still develop pertussis, although their symptoms may be less typical. Symptoms alone cannot confirm the infection because other respiratory illnesses can look similar.

Contact a clinician promptly if coughing comes in repeated fits, causes vomiting, or follows close contact with someone who has pertussis. Call before attending a clinic so staff can reduce exposure to other patients. A clinician may take a nose or throat sample and consider antibiotic treatment. Antibiotics can help limit spread and work most effectively when started early; they may not stop an established cough immediately.

While arranging care, rest, drink fluids in small frequent amounts, avoid smoke and other airway irritants, and cover coughs. Keep the person away from babies, pregnant people, and anyone at higher risk until a clinician gives clear advice about contact. Check that household vaccination records are up to date.

Seek emergency help now for pauses in breathing, blue or grey lips or skin, severe difficulty breathing, a seizure, collapse, or unusual difficulty waking. A baby with possible pertussis needs prompt medical assessment even without a classic whoop. Seek urgent advice as well if the person cannot keep fluids down, is passing much less urine, has chest pain, coughs up blood, or is becoming steadily more unwell.

Ask whether testing is useful, whether antibiotics are appropriate, and how long close contact with others should be avoided. Mention when the cough began, any vomiting or breathing pauses, recent contact with a confirmed case, pregnancy in the household, and the vaccination history of the unwell person and close family members.