Characteristics of whooping cough

Whooping cough, also called pertussis, may start with a runny nose, tiredness, and a mild cough. Later, coughing can arrive in rapid bursts, followed by a deep breath that may make a whooping sound. The sound is not present in everyone, especially young babies and adults. Vomiting after coughing, exhaustion, disturbed sleep, and difficulty feeding can occur. Fever may be mild or absent, so its absence does not rule out the infection. Coughing bouts can continue after the person otherwise feels better.

Contact a clinician when a cough is becoming more intense, arrives in fits, causes vomiting, or follows contact with someone diagnosed with whooping cough. Antibiotic Treatment may reduce spread and is most useful when started promptly; take it exactly as prescribed. Cover coughs, wash hands, improve ventilation, and avoid close contact with babies or pregnant people until a clinician explains when it is safe. Childhood Immunisation helps protect children and should be kept up to date.

Get emergency help if breathing pauses, lips or skin look blue or grey, the person cannot speak or feed because of breathlessness, or they become unusually sleepy or hard to wake. Babies need prompt assessment for pauses in breathing, poor feeding, or repeated vomiting. Seek same-day advice for worsening breathing, dehydration, or a cough that causes fainting.

Ask whether testing is needed, how long the person may be contagious, which household contacts need advice, and how to manage night-time coughing. Ask about Antibiotic Treatment and whether any missed Childhood Immunisation should be scheduled.