Caring for a child with a cough can be stressful but when that cough turns severe, persistent, and comes with a “whooping” sound, it may signal something more serious. Whooping cough in kids, also known as pertussis, is a highly contagious respiratory infection that can be especially dangerous for infants and young children.
Early recognition and treatment are crucial. Because the symptoms can resemble a cold or other common respiratory infections at first, many parents may not realize how quickly pertussis can escalate without proper care. That’s why understanding the signs and knowing when to seek medical attention can make all the difference in your child’s recovery.
In this article, we’ll walk you through what whooping cough is, how it differs from other illnesses like croup, and how urgent care centers like +MEDRITE can help manage your child’s symptoms safely and promptly.
What Is Whooping Cough?
Whooping cough, or pertussis, is a bacterial infection caused by Bordetella pertussis. It affects the airways and lungs, making it difficult for children to breathe normally. The infection spreads through respiratory droplets and is extremely contagious especially in school and daycare settings.
For adults, pertussis might seem like a lingering cough. But for babies and young kids, it can lead to violent coughing fits, vomiting, exhaustion, and even complications like pneumonia or seizures. Infants under 12 months are at the highest risk and often require hospital care.
Pertussis vs. Other Coughs (like Croup)
It’s easy to confuse pertussis vs croup, especially since both illnesses involve coughing and difficulty breathing. However, they have key differences that parents should understand:
- Pertussis (Whooping Cough):
- Starts like a cold (runny nose, low fever, mild cough)
- Progresses to intense coughing fits followed by a “whooping” sound as the child tries to breathe in
- Can last for weeks or even months
- Can cause vomiting, exhaustion, and difficulty eating or sleeping
- Croup:
- Often causes a barking cough and hoarseness
- Typically accompanied by stridor (a high-pitched sound) when breathing in
- Usually caused by a virus and resolves in a few days with supportive care
While both can be scary, pertussis is more dangerous due to its complications and duration especially in babies and toddlers. So, what is whooping cough? It’s a serious bacterial infection that needs timely attention and medical support.
How common is pertussis? While vaccines have reduced the overall number of cases, outbreaks still occur particularly in areas with lower vaccination rates or among infants who haven’t completed their full immunization schedule.
Early Signs and Stages of Whooping Cough in Kids
Understanding how pertussis symptoms change over time is key to recognizing the illness early. Whooping cough often begins like a common cold, which makes it easy to miss until the more intense coughing fits begin.
Pertussis Symptoms by Stage
Whooping cough progresses through three distinct phases, each with its own symptoms:
- Catarrhal Stage (1–2 weeks):
- Runny nose
- Mild cough
- Low-grade fever
- Sneezing and fatigue
This stage mimics a cold or mild respiratory virus, but it’s when the infection is most contagious.
- Paroxysmal Stage (1–6 weeks or longer):
- Severe coughing fits, especially at night
- Vomiting after coughing
- Exhaustion
- High-pitched “whooping” sound during inhalation
This is the most intense phase, often prompting medical visits.
- Convalescent Stage (weeks to months):
- Gradual recovery
- Lingering dry cough
- Less frequent episodes
Even during recovery, children may still feel weak and need extra care.
These stages of whooping cough can last several weeks, and the symptoms can return if the child catches another respiratory infection during recovery.
Whooping Cough Sound in Toddlers
One of the most telling signs of pertussis is the whooping cough sound. In toddlers and older children, it often sounds like a sharp, high-pitched gasp for air at the end of a coughing fit.
However, infants may not make this whooping sound at all. Instead, they might pause breathing (apnea), turn red or blue during a coughing episode, or appear extremely fatigued. This makes pertussis even more dangerous in babies under 12 months.
If you notice intense coughing, gagging, or a “whooping” sound during your child’s breathing, it’s time to seek medical care right away.
Is Whooping Cough Contagious? How It Spreads
Transmission & Exposure
So, is whooping cough contagious? Yes extremely. Pertussis spreads through tiny droplets released when an infected person coughs, sneezes, or talks. It can also live on shared surfaces for a short time, though close contact is the most common form of exposure.
Children are most contagious in the early stages, especially during the first 1–2 weeks when symptoms may still seem mild. This is why early detection is so important not just for treatment, but to prevent outbreaks in schools, daycares, and households.
Precautions for Pertussis
Taking the right precautions for pertussis can help protect your child and those around them. These include:
- Keeping your child home during illness or known exposure
- Practicing good hand hygiene
- Disinfecting shared surfaces
- Wearing a mask around vulnerable individuals (infants, elderly)
- Ensuring everyone in the home is up to date on vaccinations, including the DTaP or Tdap booster
If someone in your household has been exposed to pertussis, early antibiotics may reduce the risk of spreading it to others. This is especially important in households with unvaccinated infants or immunocompromised family members.
For added protection, +MEDRITE Urgent Care offers the Tdap vaccine for adults and teens who need a booster—an important step in safeguarding both your health and the health of those around you.
Testing and Diagnosis
Identifying pertussis early is key to protecting your child’s health and preventing the spread of infection to others. If your child has a persistent cough or has been exposed to someone with whooping cough, getting tested promptly is essential.
How to Test for Whooping Cough
Wondering how to test for whooping cough? The most common whooping cough test involves a nasal or throat swab, which checks for the presence of the Bordetella pertussis bacteria using a PCR (polymerase chain reaction) test. This method is fast, accurate, and commonly used in urgent care settings.
In some cases, doctors may also order a blood test to check for antibodies, especially if the symptoms have been present for more than a couple of weeks.
What to expect during testing:
- The swab is quick and may cause brief discomfort, similar to a flu or strep test
- Your provider may ask about symptoms, recent exposures, and vaccination history
- Test results may be available within a few hours to a few days, depending on the location
When to See a Doctor or Specialist
If your child has prolonged coughing fits, signs of breathing trouble, or a suspected exposure to pertussis, it’s time to see a healthcare provider. Whooping cough specialists may be needed for complicated or prolonged cases, especially in infants.
At +MEDRITE, our pediatric services team is here to help with fast, compassionate care including diagnostic testing and treatment recommendations tailored to your child’s age and symptoms.
Treatment of Whooping Cough in a Child
Medications and Medical Interventions
The treatment of whooping cough in a child usually includes a course of antibiotics especially when diagnosed early. Antibiotics help prevent the spread of the infection to others and may lessen the severity if given during the initial stages.
Once the cough progresses, antibiotics won’t eliminate symptoms but are still important for containment. Supportive care becomes the focus, and managing symptoms at home or in a clinic depends on the child’s age and how severe the cough is.
Common whooping cough medications and care strategies include:
- Antibiotics like azithromycin or clarithromycin
- Close monitoring of breathing and hydration
- Possible hospitalization for infants or severe cases
How to Help a Baby with Cough
Caring for an infant with whooping cough can be especially challenging. Because their airways are small and still developing, even mild symptoms can become dangerous quickly. Here’s how to help a baby with cough safely:
- Hydration: Offer small, frequent feedings (breastmilk or formula)
- Humidifiers: Use a cool mist humidifier to ease breathing
- Upright positioning: Hold your baby slightly upright during and after feedings to prevent coughing fits
- Rest: Help your child sleep in a calm, quiet space
Red flags to watch for:
- Long pauses in breathing (apnea)
- Bluish lips or face
- Refusal to feed or signs of dehydration
- Excessive fatigue or unresponsiveness
If you see any of these symptoms, seek emergency care immediately.
For tips on managing similar symptoms, visit Sinus Relief for Children.
Vaccine Protection and Timelines
Vaccination remains one of the most effective ways to prevent the spread of pertussis and protect those who are most vulnerable, especially babies. Staying on schedule with immunizations is key to stopping outbreaks and reducing complications.
When Do Babies Get the Whooping Cough Vaccine?
Parents often ask: when do babies get the whooping cough vaccine? The answer lies in the DTaP (diphtheria, tetanus, and acellular pertussis) schedule, which includes several doses starting in infancy:
- 1st dose: 2 months old
- 2nd dose: 4 months old
- 3rd dose: 6 months old
- 4th dose: 15–18 months old
- 5th dose: 4–6 years old
These doses are essential to building immunity over time. Children then receive a Tdap booster around age 11 to maintain protection.
Vaccines work best when combined with other seasonal protection, like flu shots. Learn more about Flu Vaccines for Children and Seniors.
How Long Does the Whooping Cough Vaccine Last?
So, how long does the whooping cough vaccine last? Protection from the DTaP or Tdap vaccine decreases over time, which is why booster shots are recommended.
- Teens and adults should receive a Tdap booster every 10 years.
- Pregnant women are encouraged to get a Tdap vaccine during each pregnancy (between 27 and 36 weeks) to help protect their newborn in the first few months of life.
Keeping up with booster shots is especially important for parents, caregivers, and healthcare workers who are in close contact with infants or immunocompromised individuals.
Long-Term Effects and Recovery
Most children recover fully from whooping cough with the right care, but some may experience lingering symptoms or complications especially if they are very young or went untreated for a long period.
What to Expect After Treatment
After completing antibiotics and the most severe phase of illness, a child may continue to experience:
- A lingering dry cough that lasts for weeks
- Fatigue, especially after coughing fits
- Mild breathing sensitivity during exercise or play
In rare cases, long-term effects of whooping cough may include recurring lung infections or damage, particularly in infants or children with other underlying conditions. That’s why early intervention and follow-up care matter.
Follow-Up and Support
After treatment, it’s important to monitor your child’s progress and ensure they’re ready to return to school or daycare.
You should schedule a follow-up if your child:
- Has ongoing coughing spells that disrupt sleep or eating
- Seems unusually tired or slow to recover
- Develops new respiratory symptoms
Most children can safely return to school or daycare five days after starting antibiotics, provided they’re fever-free and have improved coughing control.
With attentive care and support, your child can bounce back and resume normal activities without long-term complications.
When to Visit +MEDRITE Urgent Care
If your child is showing signs of persistent coughing, breathing trouble, or possible exposure to pertussis, don’t wait. +MEDRITE Urgent Care offers convenient walk-in visits no appointment necessary making it easy for parents to get fast, reliable support when it matters most.
Our urgent care centers across New York, New Jersey, and Florida are equipped to evaluate and treat respiratory conditions in children of all ages. From whooping cough testing and treatment to follow-up care and vaccines, our pediatric team is here to help your family feel better, faster.
We also offer the Tdap vaccine for eligible teens and adults who may need a booster—an essential step in protecting infants and others at risk of serious illness.
Not sure where to go? Find out Where to Get a Flu Shot Now or stop by your nearest +MEDRITE location to speak with a provider.
Your child’s health is our priority and we’re here when you need us most.