First symptoms of whooping cough

Whooping Cough, also called pertussis, is an infection of the airways. The beginning may involve a runny nose, sore throat, mild fever, and an irritating cough, so it can resemble an ordinary cold. The cough can then arrive in repeated bursts, disturb sleep, and make it hard to breathe between coughs. A whoop may be absent, especially in adults or vaccinated people; vomiting after coughing can still be a clue.

Contact a clinician promptly if a cough is worsening, comes in bursts, causes vomiting, or follows contact with someone who has whooping cough. Keep the person away from babies and other vulnerable people until medical advice is given, cover coughs, and wash hands. Antibiotic Treatment may reduce spread when started at the appropriate stage, but it may not immediately stop the cough. Check whether household contacts and children are up to date with Childhood Immunisation.

Get emergency help for pauses in breathing, blue or grey lips, severe breathing difficulty, collapse, confusion, or inability to drink. Babies may have breathing pauses or struggle to feed without a classic whoop. A child who becomes exhausted, vomits repeatedly, or is not recovering between coughing bouts needs urgent assessment.

Ask whether testing is needed, when the person can return to school or work, and whether close contacts need preventive advice. Tell the clinician the cough's starting date, vaccination history, exposure to a confirmed case, and whether breathing pauses or vomiting have occurred.