Cases of whooping cough (pertussis), a very contagious respiratory illness, are on the rise. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), more than six times as many cases of pertussis were reported from Jan. 1 through Dec. 14, 2024, compared to the same period in 2023.

Whooping cough is spread through coughing, sneezing or breathing very close to someone. It can also sometimes be spread by touching an infected surface and then touching your nose or mouth.

People of all ages can get whooping cough, but it usually strikes people who have not been vaccinated against it. It is a serious illness that can even be life-threatening, especially in babies. Between 30-50% of babies who get whooping cough have to be hospitalized for treatment.

Whooping Cough Symptoms in Children

In children, symptoms start about one to three weeks after contact with the bacteria. They occur in three stages.

The first stage can last one to two weeks. Symptoms include:

• Mild cough

• Low fever

• Runny nose

• For babies, a pause in breathing (apnea)

The second stage may last for one to six weeks, but it can last up to 10 weeks. Symptoms include:

• Cough that gets worse and comes in severe fits

• Cough that can be started by many factors, including feeding, crying or playing

• Cough that is dry and harsh

• Cough that ends with a whoop sound when breathing in

• Being very tired (exhausted) after coughing fits

The child may also vomit with the coughing and seem to be choking on the vomit.

The third stage (recovery) lasts weeks to months. Vomiting and the whooping cough stop first. The cough often decreases around week six, but it may continue now and then for the next one to two months.

Symptoms can be a bit different for each child. In babies, the cough may be very hard to hear. Infants may have a pause in breathing (apnea) instead of a cough.

Whooping Cough Symptoms in Adults

Symptoms of whooping cough in adults may include:

• Coughing violently and quickly until all the air has left the lungs and a person is forced to inhale, causing a whooping sound

• Sneezing that continues

• Fluid draining from the nose

• Fever

• Sore, watery eyes

• Lips, tongue and nailbeds that turn blue during coughing spells

Whooping cough can last up to 10 weeks or longer. It can lead to pneumonia and complications from severe coughing, such as fainting, rib fractures or temporary loss of bladder control.

Symptoms can vary based on whether a person is vaccinated. Visit the CDC’s website for more details on whooping cough symptoms in children and adults.

When to See a Healthcare Provider

Always see your healthcare provider for a diagnosis if you have symptoms of whooping cough. Even after treatment begins, contact your healthcare provider if symptoms don’t improve or even get worse, or if new symptoms appear. For babies, contact a healthcare provider immediately if the baby has pauses in breathing (apnea) instead of a cough.

Prevention

The CDC recommends whooping cough vaccination for people of all ages to protect against severe illness. Practicing good hygiene can also help prevent the spread of bacteria and viruses that can cause many respiratory illnesses.

Good hygiene includes washing your hands regularly, cleaning and disinfecting surfaces that are touched a lot and coughing or sneezing into a tissue or into your elbow or sleeve.

Ask your healthcare provider about vaccines for winter respiratory illnesses. If you are looking for a primary care provider, Aultman Medical Group Primary Care has more than 80 providers ready to take care of you and your family. Many of our offices are accepting new patients – and more than likely, we have a location in your community.

Visit aultman.org/NewDoc to find a provider in your area who is accepting new patients, or call the new patient hotline at 330-433-1264 for assistance with scheduling your appointment.