Whooping Cough

Whooping cough, or pertussis, is a highly contagious bacterial infection of the airways. Whooping cough symptoms start like a cold, then turn into violent coughing fits that can last for weeks. It is most dangerous for babies under 1 year.

What Is It

Pertussis spreads through coughs and sneezes. Illinois saw its highest whooping cough levels in 20 years recently, as protection from childhood vaccines fades over time. Teens and adults often have milder symptoms but can spread it to babies. The Tdap vaccine and the childhood DTaP series protect against it.

Symptoms

Runny nose, mild cough, and low fever for 1 to 2 weeks
Coughing fits that come in rapid bursts
A high pitched whoop when breathing in after a fit
Vomiting or exhaustion after coughing
A cough that lasts weeks, sometimes called the 100 day cough
In babies, pauses in breathing or turning blue instead of whooping

Not sure it’s whooping cough? A cough after a cold usually improves within 2 to 3 weeks. A cough with wheezing and high fever may be bronchitis or pneumonia.

Treatment

At your visit: A swab from the back of the nose tests for pertussis. Antibiotics work best in the first weeks and stop the spread to others. Close contacts, especially babies and pregnant women, may need treatment. The Tdap vaccine protects against it.

At home:

Rest and drink plenty of fluids
Eat small meals to avoid vomiting after coughing
Use a cool mist humidifier
Stay home until you finish 5 days of antibiotics

The cough can linger for weeks even after treatment, but you are no longer contagious after 5 days of antibiotics.

When to Get Care for Whooping Cough

Watch at Home

A mild cough from a cold that is improving
No coughing fits or vomiting
Up to date on vaccines with no known exposure

Come to Urgent Care Today

Coughing fits, vomiting after coughing, or a whoop
A cough lasting more than 2 weeks
Exposure to someone with whooping cough
A cough during pregnancy
A child with a worsening cough

Go to the Emergency Department

A baby who pauses breathing or turns blue or gray
Struggling to breathe or unable to catch breath after a fit
A baby who is not feeding or is very sleepy
Seizures

FAQ

What are the first signs of whooping cough?

The first signs of whooping cough look like a cold, with a runny nose, mild cough, and low fever. After 1 to 2 weeks, the cough turns into violent fits.

Is whooping cough contagious?

Whooping cough is very contagious, especially in the first 2 weeks of the cough. You are no longer contagious after 5 days of antibiotics.

How long does whooping cough last?

Whooping cough can last 10 weeks or more, which is why it is called the 100 day cough. Fits slowly become less frequent.

Can adults get whooping cough?

Yes, adults can get whooping cough because vaccine protection fades over time. Adults often have a long, stubborn cough and can spread it to babies.

Can urgent care test for whooping cough?

Yes, urgent care can test for whooping cough. Vitality Urgent Care offers pertussis swab testing and Tdap vaccines. No appointment or referral is needed.

When is whooping cough an emergency?

Whooping cough is an emergency when a baby pauses breathing, turns blue, will not feed, or is very sleepy, or anyone struggles to breathe after a fit.

Last reviewed October 2026