Haemophilus pertussis

Whooping cough, also called pertussis, affects the airways and can begin like a mild cold before developing into repeated bouts of coughing. Some people make a whooping sound when breathing in after a bout, but this sound is not present in everyone.

A cough is the main presentation of whooping cough. Fever may be mild or absent, and infants may have breathing pauses rather than a classic cough. Because the infection spreads through respiratory droplets, an unexplained prolonged cough deserves clinical advice, particularly after close contact with a confirmed case.

Contact a clinician early if whooping cough is suspected. Testing and treatment decisions depend on the stage of illness, symptoms, age, and contact with vulnerable people. Antibiotic treatment may reduce spread and is most useful when started early; take it only as prescribed.

Cover coughs, wash hands, improve ventilation, and avoid close contact with babies and people who may become seriously unwell until a clinician advises that it is safe. Check whether routine childhood immunisation is up to date for eligible children.

Seek urgent help if coughing causes difficulty breathing, blue or grey lips, fainting, repeated vomiting, dehydration, or unusual sleepiness. Babies need prompt assessment for pauses in breathing, poor feeding, weak coughing, or a change in colour.

Ask whether testing is needed, how long you may be infectious, and whether household contacts need advice or treatment. Ask about the next antibiotic dose if one is missed, and whether the child’s immunisation schedule needs updating.