Infant whooping cough symptoms: what parents should know

Whooping cough, also called pertussis, often starts with a runny nose and mild cough. The cough can become forceful and occur in clusters. An infant may not make the classic whooping sound; instead, watch for pauses in breathing, exhaustion, difficulty feeding, or a change in colour. Coughing can trigger vomiting. A cough is a common presentation of whooping cough, but cough alone does not establish the diagnosis. A clinician may assess the pattern, contact history, examination findings, and need for testing.

Arrange medical advice promptly if an infant has repeated coughing bouts or has been close to someone with whooping cough. Keep a record of the cough pattern, feeds, wet nappies, temperature, and any breathing pauses. Offer small, calm feeds and keep the baby away from smoke. Do not give honey to an infant or use cough medicines unless a clinician specifically recommends them. Antibiotic treatment may be prescribed to reduce spread and may be most useful early; it does not make every cough stop immediately.

Call emergency services for a breathing pause, blue or grey lips, severe struggle to breathe, limpness, or inability to wake normally. Seek urgent assessment if coughing prevents feeding, vomiting is repeated, or wet nappies become much less frequent. Infants can become seriously unwell without a dramatic whoop, so do not wait for that sound. Tell the clinician about vaccination history and any known exposure.

Ask whether the symptoms fit whooping cough, whether testing or antibiotics are needed, how to protect household members, and which breathing or hydration changes require immediate help.