If you think whooping cough (also known as pertussis) is a disease of the past, think again. Whooping cough is still around and can be a serious illness for adults and adolescents, and potentially fatal in infants. By being informed about whooping cough, you can help protect yourself from getting and spreading this highly contagious disease. Get the facts by clicking on the whooping cough FAQs below.
What is whooping cough?- Whooping cough is a highly contagious disease that affects the lungs. Whooping cough is also known as pertussis because it is caused by a type of bacteria called Bordetella pertussis.
- What are the symptoms of whooping cough?
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You may not be able to recognize the first signs of whooping cough. That’s because whooping cough in adults can start out like a common cold. Symptoms can include:
- runny nose
- congestion
- sneezing
- mild cough
- fever
- How does whooping cough spread?
- The whooping cough bacteria are spread from person to person. The bacteria can become airborne when someone with whooping cough coughs or sneezes. Being in close contact with an infected person could put you at risk for catching whooping cough.
- When is someone most contagious?
- People with whooping cough are most contagious when they are experiencing cold-like symptoms and may be unaware that they have the disease. They will generally continue to be contagious for the first 2 weeks after the coughing starts. People with whooping cough are usually contagious for about 21 days.
- Who can get whooping cough?
- Adults, adolescents, and infants—anyone who is exposed to the bacteria—can get whooping cough. Adults and adolescents make up more than half of the reported cases. Many infants who are infected with whooping cough contract the bacteria from parents and older siblings.
- Can whooping cough be serious for adults?
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Yes, whooping cough can be serious for adults. Adults with whooping cough can experience:
- Coughing fits lasting up to 3 months or more
- Rib fractures
- Pneumonia
- Vomiting
- Exhaustion due to disturbed sleep
These types of symptoms and complications can cause adults with whooping cough to be hospitalized and to miss work. In one study, the majority of adults with whooping cough missed an average of approximately 10 days of work.
- How can whooping cough impact infants and young children?
- Symptoms and complications can be more severe in infants and young children. Whooping cough can be potentially fatal in infants. Symptoms and complications can include:
- Coughing fits often accompanied by a whooping sound
- Pneumonia
- Ear infection
- Dehydration
- Loss of appetite
- Seizures
- Encephalopathy (brain disorder)
- Death
More than half of the babies under the age of 1 with whooping cough must be hospitalized.
- What does whooping cough sound like?
- While the distinct “whoop” sound of the cough is often heard in children’s cases of whooping cough, it is not as common in adult cases. The cough can be hacking, severe, and prolonged. The “whoop” sound is present 30-40% of the time in adult cases.
Hear the cough*>>
*Whooping cough audio courtesy of Dr. Doug Jenkinson.
http://www.whoopingcough.net - Is there medication available to treat whooping cough?
- There is limited ability to treat all symptoms of whooping cough with antibiotics. Treatment with antibiotics must start at the first signs of whooping cough to be most effective. It can be difficult to determine when to start treatment since the early symptoms of whooping cough can be unrecognizable and resemble a cold.
- What action can I take to help prevent whooping cough?
- You can help prevent getting or spreading whooping cough with a vaccine called Tdap. The Tdap vaccine helps protect adults and adolescents against 3 diseases—tetanus, diphtheria, and whooping cough.
