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Apr 2, 2024 · Appears like a common cold. Whooping cough appears similar to a common cold early on. Healthcare providers often don't suspect or diagnose it until more severe symptoms appear. Early symptoms can last for 1 to 2 weeks and usually include: Runny or stuffed-up nose. Low-grade fever (less than 100.4°F)
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Once you become infected with whooping cough, it takes about seven to 10 days for signs and symptoms to appear, though it can sometimes take longer. They're usually mild at first and resemble those of a common cold:
•Runny nose
•Nasal congestion
•Red, watery eyes
•Fever
•Cough
Call your doctor if prolonged coughing spells cause you or your child to:
•Vomit
•Turn red or blue
•Seem to be struggling to breathe or have noticeable pauses in breathing
•Inhale with a whooping sound
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Whooping cough is caused by a type of bacteria called Bordetella pertussis. When an infected person coughs or sneezes, tiny germ-laden droplets are sprayed into the air and breathed into the lungs of anyone who happens to be nearby.
The whooping cough vaccine you receive as a child eventually wears off. This leaves most teenagers and adults susceptible to the infection during an outbreak — and there continue to be regular outbreaks.
Infants who are younger than age 12 months who are unvaccinated or haven't received the full set of recommended vaccines have the highest risk for severe complications and death.
Infants
In infants — especially those under 6 months of age — complications from whooping cough are more severe and may include:
The best way to prevent whooping cough is with the pertussis vaccine, which doctors often give in combination with vaccines against two other serious diseases — diphtheria and tetanus. Doctors recommend beginning vaccination during infancy.
The vaccine consists of a series of five injections, typically given to children at these ages:
•2 months
•4 months
•6 months
•15 to 18 months
•Understanding whooping cough with a Mayo Clinic expert
Whooping cough, also called pertussis, is a very contagious upper respiratory infection. It usually gives you lengthy and repeated bouts of coughing. These coughing episodes can continue for weeks or even months after you first develop symptoms of the illness. Instead of coughing spells, babies with pertussis may have breathing difficulties.
Apr 15, 2024 · Early whooping cough symptoms. These mimic a common cold and include: Runny nose. Low-grade fever. Mild cough. Those problems often last a week or two, but the similarities with a cold end there ...
Nov 17, 2022 · Symptoms of pertussis start 7 to 10 days after being exposed and vary by age. They usually begin as cold-like symptoms including a runny nose, tearing eyes, fatigue and fever. It is not until the disease progresses that it can differentiate itself from other respiratory illnesses. Many babies with pertussis may not cough at all.
Jan 19, 2024 · The symptoms of pertussis usually start within 5 to 10 days after you are exposed. But sometimes you may not get symptoms until up to 3 weeks later. Whooping cough usually starts with cold-like symptoms. They may last for 1 to 2 weeks and can include: Runny nose. Mild fever.
