Whooping Cough

Understanding whooping cough

Pertussis — a serious coughing illness, especially in infants. Prevented by the Tdap vaccine in pregnancy. It helps to know what you're seeing and what's worth a closer look — this guide walks through the signs, the likely cause, simple home care, and the specific moments to call your doctor.

Signs to look for

The most common signs of whooping cough are severe coughing fits, whooping sound, trouble breathing. They vary from child to child, and not everyone has all of them — the pattern and how your child is doing overall matter more than any single symptom.

What causes it

Most childhood illnesses are caused by common viruses (and occasionally bacteria) that spread easily wherever children gather. The body usually clears them on its own; the job at home is to keep your child comfortable, hydrated, and watched for the few signs that need a doctor.

Caring for whooping cough

Home care for whooping cough is about comfort and fluids: offer small, frequent drinks to prevent dehydration, let your child rest, and use only the age-appropriate medicines your pediatrician recommends for fever or discomfort. Most cases improve over several days — what matters is watching for the warning signs below and keeping your child hydrated in the meantime.

When to call your doctor

Call your pediatrician if symptoms are severe, worsening, or just not improving, or any time your gut says something is off. Seek urgent care right away for a baby under 3 months with any fever (100.4°F / 38°C or higher), trouble breathing or very fast breathing, a stiff neck, a rash that doesn't fade when pressed, signs of dehydration (few wet diapers, no tears, a sunken soft spot), repeated forceful vomiting, or a child who is unusually hard to wake or limp.

The bottom line

Whooping Cough is common in young children, and most cases are manageable with the right care and a little patience. Use this page to know what's expected and what isn't — and remember it's educational, not a substitute for advice from a provider who knows your child or your pregnancy.