Whooping cough

Whooping cough, also known as pertussis, is an extremely contagious respiratory infection characterized by severe coughing fits often accompanied by a distinctive high-pitched inhalation sound resembling a "whoop."

Before the introduction of the vaccine, whooping cough was primarily seen as a childhood illness. Presently, it mainly impacts children who haven't completed their vaccination series, as well as teenagers and adults whose immunity has waned.

Symptoms

Once you become infected with whooping cough, it takes about seven to 10 days for signs and symptoms to appear, though it can sometimes take longer. They're usually mild at first and resemble those of a common cold:

• Runny nose

• Nasal congestion

• Red, watery eyes

• Fever

• Cough

After a week or two, signs and symptoms worsen. Thick mucus accumulates inside your airways, causing uncontrollable coughing. Severe and prolonged coughing attacks may:

• Provoke vomiting

• Result in a red or blue face

• Cause extreme fatigue

• End with a high-pitched "whoop" sound during the next breath of air

However, many people don't develop the characteristic whoop. Sometimes, a persistent hacking cough is the only sign that an adolescent or adult has whooping cough.

Infants may not cough at all. Instead, they may struggle to breathe, or they may even temporarily stop breathing.

When to see a doctor

Call your doctor if prolonged coughing spells cause you or your child to:

• Vomit

• Turn red or blue

• Seem to be struggling to breathe or have noticeable pauses in breathing

• Inhale with a whooping sound