Frequently Asked Questions

Pertussis - or whooping cough - is an infection of the respiratory system caused by the bacterium Bordetella pertussis (or B. pertussis). It's characterized by severe coughing spells that end in a "whooping" sound when the person breathes in.

Babies are most at risk for whooping cough. Each year, many babies are hospitalized for whooping cough and some die.

The first symptoms of whooping cough are similar to those of a common cold:

• Low-grade fever
• Mild cough
• Runny nose
• Sneezing

After about 1 to 2 weeks, the dry, irritating cough evolves into coughing spells. During a coughing spell, which can last for more than a minute, the child may turn red or purple. At the end of a spell, the child may make a characteristic whooping sound when breathing in or may vomit. Between spells, the child usually feels well.

Whooping cough shots safely prevent the disease, but, your new baby is too young to get the shot. To protect your baby, make sure that all caretakers and family members are up-to-date on their whooping cough shots. Protection from the disease and the shots wears off. Make sure anyone 10 years of age or older gets a booster shot, called Tdap, at least two weeks before they have contact with your baby.

Babies most often catch whooping cough from a family member. By protecting yourself from the disease, you also protect your baby. New parents should ask their doctor for a Tdap shot. You can get it:

• Before you are pregnant (ideally)
• During pregnancy
• After giving birth

If you have not gotten your Tdap shot yet, get one before leaving the hospital with your new baby. It’s safe to get a Tdap shot while breastfeeding. water can become vaporized.

Call the doctor if you think your child has whooping cough. To make a diagnosis, the doctor will take a medical history, do a thorough physical exam, and take nose and throat mucus samples that will be examined and cultured for B. pertussis bacteria. Blood tests and a chest X-ray may also be done.