Whooping cough in vaccinated adults

Whooping cough, also called pertussis, is a respiratory infection that can cause repeated, forceful coughing bouts. A vaccination history helps a clinician understand your protection, but it does not by itself explain a current cough. Adults may not make the characteristic whooping sound; coughing can instead lead to vomiting, exhaustion, or disturbed sleep. People with whooping cough commonly present with cough, while fever may be absent or mild.

Arrange a clinical review if the cough is worsening, lasts beyond an ordinary cold, or follows close contact with a diagnosed case. Mention when it began, whether bouts cause vomiting or breathlessness, and whether you are around babies or pregnant people. Testing and treatment decisions depend on the timing and your symptoms. If antibiotic treatment is prescribed, take it exactly as directed and ask about reducing spread within your household.

Seek urgent medical help for difficulty breathing, blue or grey lips, chest pain, confusion, fainting, or an inability to keep fluids down. Contact a clinician promptly when a severe cough occurs in someone who will be near a young baby, or when a baby has coughing spells, pauses in breathing, poor feeding, or unusual sleepiness.

Ask whether your symptoms and exposure history warrant testing, whether treatment is useful at this stage, and what precautions apply at home, work, or around infants. You can also ask when your next vaccine dose may be due.