Pertussis (Whooping Cough)

Pertussis (also called whooping cough) is a serious disease caused by a bacteria called Bordetella pertussis that can lead to uncontrollable coughing or difficulty breathing.

Whooping cough is particularly dangerous for infants. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), about 1 in 3 babies younger than 1 year old who get whooping cough will need hospital care.

Who needs to be protected?

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) and leading medical societies recommend that everyone — including infants, children, preteens, adults, and pregnant women — stay up to date with whooping cough vaccines.​

Because whooping cough is particularly dangerous for babies, vaccines are important for anyone who is around babies, including parents, siblings, grandparents, caregivers, and friends of the family.​

For complete vaccine recommendations for children, adults, and during pregnancy, please visit:​

• American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP)​
• American Academy of Family Physicians (AAFP)​
• American College of Obstetricians & Gynecologists (ACOG)
• ​Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC)​

What vaccine options are available?

There are two types of combination vaccines available to protect individuals from whooping cough and the vaccine you receive depends on age. Children younger than 7 years of age receive DTaP, while older children and adults receive Tdap. DTaP and Tdap vaccines also protect against diphtheria (“d”) and tetanus (“t”).

I’m feeling lousy. How do I figure out what I have?

Learn more about symptoms of whooping cough.

Symptoms of whooping cough may include:

• Runny nose
• Fever*
• Mild, occasional cough (particularly for teens and adults)
• Coughing fits (particularly for infants), which may end with a high-pitched “whoop” sound, provoke vomiting, or result in a red or purple face

*There is some research that indicates that fever in older adults may be lower than the typical 101.4 F.

If you have symptoms for whooping cough, you may need to reach out to a healthcare provider for a diagnosis, which may require a physical exam and/or lab testing.

What should I do if I or a loved one has whooping cough?

Vaccination is the best way to help protect against severe illness.​

If you or a loved one has whooping cough, talk with a healthcare provider about treatment options and ways to prevent spreading the disease to others. Early treatment can help make whooping cough less severe so talk with a healthcare provider as soon as possible. Providers typically use antibiotics to treat whooping cough.​