Which bacteria cause whooping cough?

Bordetella pertussis attaches in the respiratory tract and irritates the airways, leading to repeated coughing spells. The illness is also called pertussis. Early symptoms can resemble a common cold, so the pattern over time and known exposure are useful clues for a clinician. People with whooping cough often have cough; some also have a low fever, while others do not. A cough alone has many possible causes and needs assessment in its own context.

Seek medical advice if the cough comes in intense bouts, causes vomiting, persists, or follows close exposure to a confirmed case. Tell the clinician about infants, pregnant people, or medically vulnerable people you have been near. Tests may be used depending on the stage of illness. Antibiotic treatment can be considered by a clinician to manage the infection and limit spread; it should not be replaced with leftover medicines or another person’s prescription.

Emergency assessment is needed for breathing difficulty, blue or grey colour around the mouth, fainting, severe chest pain, or signs of dehydration. Prompt review is particularly important for a baby with cough, feeding difficulty, pauses in breathing, or reduced alertness. Keep a baby away from anyone with an unexplained severe cough until you have received clinical advice.

Ask whether the timing of your symptoms affects testing, whether your close contacts need guidance, and when it is appropriate to resume normal close contact. Ask which symptoms would mean you should seek care sooner.