Whooping cough at different ages

Older children and adults may have a prolonged cough without an obvious whoop, and they can pass the infection to vulnerable infants.

Whooping cough, or pertussis, is a bacterial respiratory infection. It often begins like a cold, then develops into repeated coughing bouts. Vomiting, exhaustion, or difficulty catching breath can follow a bout. The high-pitched whoop is possible but is not present in every person.

Babies may pause breathing, become dusky, feed poorly, or seem unusually tired instead of coughing forcefully. In vaccinated adolescents and adults, illness may be milder or resemble a stubborn cough, which can delay recognition. Whooping cough commonly presents with cough, but cough has many other causes.

Contact a clinician promptly if coughing comes in bouts, causes vomiting, or follows known contact with whooping cough. Call before attending so the clinic can limit spread. Describe when the cough began, any breathing pauses, vaccination history, and close contact with babies or pregnant people.

Antibiotics may be prescribed to treat the infection and reduce transmission, with timing and suitability determined clinically. Complete the prescribed course and follow advice about staying away from school, work, and vulnerable contacts. Do not give over-the-counter cough products to a baby unless a clinician specifically recommends them.

Call emergency services if a baby has pauses in breathing, turns blue or grey, struggles to breathe, has a seizure, or is difficult to wake. Anyone with severe breathlessness, persistent colour change, confusion, collapse, or chest pain needs emergency assessment.

Seek same-day medical advice for poor feeding, repeated vomiting, signs of dehydration, worsening cough, or concern about a young baby's exposure, even if there is no whooping sound.

Ask whether testing or antibiotic treatment is appropriate, how to protect household contacts, when normal activities can resume, and whether anyone close to the patient needs preventive treatment. Confirm which breathing or feeding changes should trigger urgent reassessment.