Whooping cough is a respiratory infection (infection of the lungs) that causes coughing. The coughing can occur in long spells, and often ends with a high-pitched 'whoop' sound when the child breathes in. Whooping cough is caused by a bacteria called Bordetella pertussis and is also known as pertussis. Show
Whooping cough is extremely contagious. It is particularly serious in babies under six months of age, who are at risk of severe complications and will usually need to be admitted to hospital. Children and adults can also get whooping cough, but are unlikely to need hospitalisation. Many babies who get whooping cough catch it from older children or adults who might not even know they have the infection. Whooping cough is sometimes treated with antibiotics. There is an immunisation for whooping cough. Signs and symptoms of whooping cough
When to see a doctorCall an ambulance immediately if your child is struggling to breathe or if their lips start to turn blue. If you think your child has whooping cough, take them to see your GP. The doctor will often decide if your child has whooping cough by asking you questions about their cough, or by actually seeing one of the coughing spells. They may want to confirm the diagnosis by doing a blood test or testing secretions (fluids) from the nose, but the whooping cough germ may not be detected if your child has had their cough for three weeks or more, or if they have been on antibiotics before the sample was taken. The time it takes to get better is different for each child. Treatment for whooping coughYour child’s doctor will advise different treatment for whooping cough, depending on:
Because whooping cough is life-threatening for babies under 6 months old, they are likely to be admitted to hospital to be watched closely. Older children who are quite unwell also usually need to stay in hospital. Your child’s doctor may prescribe antibiotics for your child, but these are not always necessary. Treatment with antibiotics reduces the amount of time your child is infectious (to five days or less). Even if your child is taking antibiotics, their coughing will continue for many weeks. If your child has been coughing for more than three weeks, they are no longer infectious, and antibiotics are not usually needed. Care at homeIn most cases, children with whooping cough can be cared for at home after they have been seen by a doctor.
How is whooping cough spread?Whooping cough is extremely contagious. It is spread easily by droplets of fluid in the air from coughing and sneezing. It can also be spread by hands that have come in contact with the bacteria. If your child has whooping cough, they will be infectious just before the start of the cough until three weeks after the cough started. If your child is given antibiotics, they can still spread the infection until they have had five days of antibiotics. Because whooping cough is easily spread, often other family members or close contacts of the child with whooping cough will also have the infection. Antibiotics may need to be given to anyone who has had very close contact with your child while your child was infectious, including women in the last month of pregnancy and babies less than six months old. The antibiotics will help protect them from getting whooping cough. Your GP can advise if this is necessary. Children with whooping cough should not attend child care, kindergarten or school:
If there is an outbreak of whooping cough and your child is not immunised, they will have to stay away from child care, kindergarten or school for three weeks, or until the outbreak settles. Whooping cough immunisationImmunisation is the best way to prevent whooping cough.
Key points to remember
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Common questions our doctors are askedI had whooping cough when I was younger. Do I still need to get an adult booster? If you are having contact with a baby under six months old, you should have an adult pertussis booster. Past infection from whooping cough provides some protection from catching it again, but it is not life-long immunity. Is it possible for my child to catch whooping cough if they have been vaccinated? Sometimes, children can catch whooping cough even if they have been immunised. But the illness will be less serious and they often get better quicker. This means they are contagious for a shorter period of time, so are less likely to spread whooping cough to others. I’m not sure if my child has whooping cough or croup. How can I tell? Children with croup can have a harsh barking cough, and make a squeaky, high-pitched noise (called stridor) when they breath in. The name ‘whooping cough’ is confusing, because the cough does not sound like a whoop. The cough is a normal cough, but occurs in long spells. When there is a break in coughing, the child makes a quick breath in, and this is what makes the 'whoop' sound. If you think your child might have whooping cough, take them to the GP. Developed by The Royal Children's Hospital General Medicine and Respiratory and Sleep Medicine departments. We acknowledge the input of RCH consumers and carers. Reviewed April 2019. Kids Health Info is supported by The Royal Children’s Hospital Foundation. To donate, visit www.rchfoundation.org.au. How often do you need to get whooping cough vaccine?All adults should get vaccinated against whooping cough
Adults 19 years old or older should get a Tdap vaccine, even if they are not pregnant, if they have never received the shot before. This should be followed by either a Td or Tdap shot every 10 years.
Is whooping cough vaccine good for life?Nearly all children who receive all five recommended doses are protected for one year. After that, immunity wanes. Five years after the last dose, the CDC says the DTaP protects only about 70 percent of children from pertussis. The CDC recommends booster shots for preteens, teenagers and adults every 10 years.
Do I need a whooping cough booster?Vaccination is the best protection against whooping cough. Adults may need booster vaccines for full immunity. Pregnant women and adults who have contact with babies should get a booster vaccine.
Do I need a whooping cough shot to be around a newborn?Newborns do not yet have fully developed immune systems, making them particularly vulnerable to infections. Because of this, anyone who is around babies should be up to date on all routine vaccines, including: Whooping cough vaccine (DTaP for children and Tdap for preteens, teens, and adults)
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