What happens if whooping cough is not treated?

Whooping cough is a contagious infection of the airways. It often begins like a mild cold, then develops into repeated, forceful coughing fits that can make breathing in difficult. A whoop may follow a bout, but it is not present in everyone. Ongoing coughing can disturb sleep, cause vomiting and leave a person exhausted. Babies may have pauses in breathing rather than a dramatic cough, and young children can become seriously unwell more quickly.

Early medical advice can help confirm the diagnosis, guide antibiotic treatment and reduce spread to vulnerable household contacts. Antibiotics may not stop every cough immediately, because airway irritation can persist after the infection is controlled.

Contact a clinician promptly for a worsening cough, repeated coughing fits or exposure to a confirmed case. Keep the person hydrated, allow rest and avoid smoke or other airway irritants. Follow prescribed antibiotic treatment exactly and ask how long close contact with babies or vulnerable people should be limited. Check that routine childhood immunisation is up to date.

Get emergency help for blue or grey lips, pauses in breathing, severe breathing difficulty, marked drowsiness, inability to drink or signs of dehydration. A baby with unusual pauses, poor feeding or a weak cough needs urgent assessment. Seek prompt advice for fever, chest pain or a cough that is becoming more intense.

Ask whether testing is needed, whether antibiotic treatment is appropriate, how to protect household members and when the person can return to school or work. Ask which breathing changes require immediate help.