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What should I do if my child has whooping cough?
Whooping cough causes long coughing fits. Learn how to care for your child at home and when to get urgent medical help.
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What it is
Whooping cough, also called pertussis, is a very contagious infection of the lungs and breathing tubes [3][5]. It is caused by bacteria called Bordetella pertussis [5][7]. The bacteria damage the tiny hair-like extensions in the airways and cause swelling [5]. The disease spreads from person to person through coughing, sneezing, or breathing very close to someone [7]. It can also spread by touching an infected surface and then touching your nose or mouth [7].
The first signs look like a cold, such as a runny nose and sore throat [3]. A high temperature is uncommon [3]. Symptoms usually start 5 to 10 days after exposure, but can appear up to 3 weeks later [6]. After about a week, coughing bouts begin [3]. These fits can last for a few minutes and are often worse at night [3]. Your child may make a “whoop” sound when gasping for breath between coughs [3]. Young babies under 3 months old may not make this sound [3]. Your child may bring up thick mucus, vomit, or become very red in the face [3][6]. The cough can last for several weeks or months [3][6].
Whooping cough is especially serious in babies [1]. About half of babies under one year old who get it need hospital care [1]. Babies under 6 months have a higher chance of problems like dehydration, breathing difficulties, pneumonia, and seizures [9]. Older children may have sore ribs, hernias, or pee leaking when they cough [9].
What you can do at home
- Keep your child away from others, especially babies and pregnant women, because whooping cough spreads easily [3][4].
- Wash hands often with soap and water, or use an alcohol-based hand rub [4].
- Clean and disinfect surfaces you touch often, including toys [4].
- Cover coughs and sneezes with a tissue or your upper sleeve, not your hands [4].
- Stay home when sick [4].
- Make sure your child rests and drinks fluids to avoid dehydration [9].
- Do not give any medication doses without checking the dose calculator first.
Antibiotics can help if given early [8]. They may make the infection less serious and shorten the time your child is contagious [7][8]. Sometimes doctors give antibiotics to family members who were exposed, to prevent the illness [4]. Talk to your doctor about whether antibiotics are right for your child.
When to see a doctor or go to the emergency department
Get medical care right away if your baby has a pause in breathing or starts to turn blue [6]. Young infants may also turn blue or grey after a coughing bout [3]. Seek urgent help if your child has difficulty breathing after coughing [3]. Watch for signs of dehydration, which is a risk for babies under 6 months [9]. If your child has a seizure or fit, get emergency care [9]. Go to the emergency department if your child seems very unwell or you are worried about their breathing.
Common questions
Can my child get whooping cough if vaccinated? Vaccines are the best way to prevent whooping cough [4]. The vaccine is given as part of routine childhood vaccinations [2]. But no vaccine is perfect, and symptoms can vary based on whether a child has been vaccinated [5]. Vaccinated children may have milder illness [5].
How long is my child contagious? Your child is contagious for about 2 weeks after the cough starts [7]. Antibiotics may shorten this time [7].
Can I protect my baby before birth? Yes. Pregnant women should get the whooping cough vaccine, usually around 20 weeks of pregnancy [2]. This helps protect the baby for the first few weeks of life [2]. Speak to your GP or midwife if you are 20 weeks pregnant and have not been offered it [2].
Who is most at risk? Babies younger than 1 year old are at greatest risk for severe complications [5]. Many babies catch it from older siblings, parents, or caregivers who do not know they have it [10]. Keep babies away from anyone with a cough [4].
Sources
[1] MedlinePlus — “Whooping Cough” (2024), section “What is whooping cough?”, p. 1 — https://medlineplus.gov/whoopingcough.html [2] NHS — “Whooping cough” (2025), section “The whooping cough vaccine”, p. 1 — https://www.nhs.uk/conditions/whooping-cough/ [3] NHS — “Whooping cough” (2025), section “Whooping cough”, p. 1 — https://www.nhs.uk/conditions/whooping-cough/ [4] MedlinePlus — “Whooping Cough” (2024), section “Can whooping cough be prevented?”, p. 1 — https://medlineplus.gov/whoopingcough.html [5] CDC — “About Whooping Cough”, section “What it is”, p. 1 — https://www.cdc.gov/pertussis/about/index.html [6] MedlinePlus — “Whooping Cough” (2024), section “What are the symptoms of whooping cough?”, p. 1 — https://medlineplus.gov/whoopingcough.html [7] MedlinePlus — “Whooping Cough” (2024), section “What causes whooping cough?”, p. 1 — https://medlineplus.gov/whoopingcough.html [8] CDC — “About Whooping Cough”, section “About Whooping Cough Key points”, p. 1 — https://www.cdc.gov/pertussis/about/index.html [9] NHS — “Whooping cough” (2025), section “Whooping cough can be dangerous”, p. 1 — https://www.nhs.uk/conditions/whooping-cough/ [10] CDC — “About Whooping Cough”, section “People can unknowingly spread the bacteria”, p. 1 — https://www.cdc.gov/pertussis/about/index.html
This guide summarises published paediatric guidelines. It is not medical advice and does not replace your paediatrician. In an emergency, call your local emergency number.
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