Whooping cough complications in later life

Whooping cough, also called pertussis, can bring repeated coughing bouts that leave little time to catch a full breath. Adults do not always make the classic whooping sound, so a persistent or worsening cough may be the main feature. The physical effort of coughing can strain the chest and abdominal muscles, disturb sleep, reduce appetite, and make everyday tasks difficult.

Complications can arise from the infection itself or from the force of the cough. A chest infection such as pneumonia needs prompt assessment. People who are frail or who have heart, lung, or immune-system conditions may find the illness harder to manage and may need closer medical support.

Arrange a medical assessment if a cough comes in severe bouts, lasts, or follows close contact with someone diagnosed with whooping cough. A clinician can consider testing, review other possible causes, and decide whether antibiotic treatment is appropriate. Antibiotics may be used to reduce transmission, particularly when started early in the illness.

Rest when possible, take frequent drinks, and choose small meals if coughing interrupts eating. Avoid smoke and other airway irritants. Keep distance from babies, pregnant people, and anyone medically vulnerable until a clinician advises that it is safer to resume close contact.

Seek urgent medical care for trouble breathing, blue or grey lips or face, fainting, confusion, coughing up blood, severe chest pain, or signs of dehydration such as very little urine or marked dizziness. Contact a clinician promptly if fever develops with a worsening cough, if you cannot keep fluids down, or if the cough is disrupting breathing or sleep to an unmanageable degree.

Ask whether your symptoms fit whooping cough or another respiratory illness, whether testing would help, and whether treatment is needed now. It is also useful to ask how long to avoid close contact with vulnerable people, which symptoms should trigger urgent review, and whether your vaccinations need checking.