Whooping Cough

Pertussis, also known as whooping cough, is an illness that causes a severe cough and may last for months. It can be especially dangerous in infants. Vaccination is the best protection against whooping cough.

What are the symptoms of whooping cough?

Early Symptoms (First 1-2 Weeks)

Fever
Runny nose
Cough

Later Symptoms

Rapid, violent, and uncontrolled coughing fits
High-pitched “whoop” sound when inhaling after a cough
Struggling to breathe

How does whooping cough spread?

Whooping cough is spread from person to person through the air when a person with whooping cough sneezes or coughs and others breathe in that air. People can be contagious for at least two weeks after cough starts.

How can we prevent whooping cough?

Vaccination is the best way to prevent whooping cough. Make sure you are up to date on your Tdap vaccination, or DTaP for children.

Whooping Cough Vaccine Recommendations

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) recommends tetanus, diphtheria, and pertussis vaccination for all ages.

In children, DTaP vaccine is given at the following ages:

1st dose at 2 months of age
2nd dose at 4 months of age
3rd dose at 6 months of age
4th dose at 15 to 18 months of age
5th dose at 4 to 6 years of age

Preteens between ages of 11 to 12 years should get a Tdap vaccine to boost their immunity.

In adults, those who have never received a Tdap vaccine should get one. This should be followed by a Tdap vaccine every 10 years to boost immunity.

Everyone 7 years and older who have never received tetanus-containing vaccines, or whose vaccination history is unknown, should receive 3 doses of Tdap or Td. At least one of the doses should be Tdap. After this series, Td or Tdap is needed every 10 years.

In pregnant people, Tdap should be given during the early part of the 3rd trimester of every pregnancy. By doing so, babies are protected from whooping cough in the first few months of life.

For more information: Tetanus, Diphtheria, and Pertussis Vaccines