What should you know about infant pertussis?

Pertussis, also called whooping cough, is an infection of the airways. An infant may begin with a runny nose and mild cough, then develop repeated coughing bouts. The classic whoop may be absent in young babies. Instead, the infant may pause between breaths, turn dusky, tire during feeds, or vomit after coughing. A cough can persist after other cold symptoms improve. A baby with these features needs clinical assessment; a cough does not by itself identify the cause. See [Whooping Cough](/conditions/whooping-cough/) and [Cough](/symptoms/cough/) for background.

Arrange same-day medical advice if pertussis is suspected, especially for a young infant or one exposed to a confirmed case. Keep the baby upright while awake, offer smaller feeds more often if feeding triggers coughing, and avoid smoke or strong fragrances. Do not give over-the-counter cough medicine unless a clinician specifically recommends it. A clinician may consider testing, treatment with [Antibiotic Treatment](/treatments/medical-management/antibiotic-treatment/), and advice for close contacts. Keep immunisations up to date through [Childhood Immunisation](/treatments/preventive-care-and-vaccination/childhood-immunisation/).

Call emergency services if the baby is struggling to breathe, has repeated breathing pauses, looks blue or grey around the lips, is unusually floppy, cannot feed, or has markedly fewer wet nappies. Seek urgent assessment for a cough that causes choking, vomiting with inability to keep feeds down, or a baby who becomes difficult to wake. Do not wait for a whooping sound before seeking help.

Ask whether the cough pattern needs testing, whether antibiotics are appropriate, how to protect household members, and which breathing or feeding changes should prompt immediate return.