Whooping cough – otherwise known as pertussis – is an incredibly contagious infection found in the respiratory tract. When the illness has reached its advanced stages, it is described by a severe, very rough, hacking cough which is then followed by a high-pitched intake of air. This inhalation of breath sounds like a “whoop.” That is where the coughs of pertussis get the nickname: whooping cough.

During the first half of the 20^th century, pertussis was one of the leading causes of death for children in the United States. However, the number of cases declined consistently each year after a vaccine was introduced. By the mid-1970s, it had reached an all time low. However, it has begun to appear again in children too young to have finished all the doses of vaccines. More so, it has appeared in adolescents whose vaccines have since worn off.

Symptoms of Whooping Cough

It can take anywhere from three to 12 days for any symptoms of pertussis to appear after becoming infected. On top of that, the symptoms tend to start out incredibly mild and easily fool individuals into believing they have the common cold. However, as time goes on, the symptoms begin to develop and become the noticeable cough and whooping for air.

Early Symptoms

• Mild fever
• Dry cough
• Watery eyes
• Sneezing
• Runny nose
• Congestion

These are symptoms that are very synonymous to the common cold, so most people don’t even realize they have whooping cough. However, after the first week or two, the heavy cough begins. With this cough comes:

• Thick phlegm coming from the lungs
• Possibility of vomiting due to severity of the cough
• Red or blue face because of lack of oxygen
• Incredible fatigue
• High-pitched “whoop” after episode of coughing.

When to See a Doctor

If any of the three severe symptoms (vomiting, face turning red or blue, and the whooping sound) begin to appear, it is important to consult with a doctor. For infants, hospitalization typically occurs because whooping cough is very dangerous for that age. For older children and adults, they take a mixture of antibiotics to get rid of the bacteria causing the cough and then a cough relief. However, because most cough medicines have little effect on whooping cough, most doctors say it is a waste of time.