Whooping cough (pertussis)

Whooping cough usually starts like a cold with a blocked or runny nose, tiredness, mild fever and cough.

The cough typically gets worse and severe bouts of uncontrollable coughing can develop.

Coughing bouts can be followed by vomiting, choking or taking a big gasping breath which causes a “whooping” sound. The cough can last for many weeks and can be worse at night.

Some newborns may not cough at all but they can stop breathing and turn blue. Some babies have difficulty feeding and can choke or gag.

Older children and adults may just have a cough that lasts for many weeks. 

Not every person makes the whooping sound – this is more common in non-immunised children. 

The cough may last up to 3 months, but the person is no longer infectious after 21 days (3 weeks).

Whooping cough spreads by airborne droplets, that is, an infectious person coughs bacteria into the air which can then be inhaled by other people in close proximity.

Once a person is infected with whooping cough and starts experiencing symptoms they can be infectious to others unless they are treated early.

Without treatment people with whooping cough are infectious during the first 3 weeks of their illness and can infect others in their household, workplace, child care centre and school.

Whooping cough spreads easily through households and families, anyone can get whooping cough. 

People living in the same household as someone infected with whooping cough are especially at risk of becoming infected, and young unimmunised children are at most risk of serious complications if they are infected.

Immunisation reduces the risk of infection but vaccine immunity fades over time, so you can still get whooping cough infection if you’ve been immunised.

Whooping cough vaccine

The whooping cough vaccine provides good protection from infection.

Immunity does fade over time however, which means that booster injections at specific ages are needed.

Immunisation for pregnant women

It is recommended that pregnant women receive the whooping cough vaccine during the third trimester of pregnancy (between 28 and 32 weeks). However, the vaccine can be given at any time during the third trimester up to delivery.

Vaccination during pregnancy has shown to be more effective in reducing the risk of whooping cough in young infants than vaccinating the mother after the birth.

The whooping cough vaccine is delivered in one injection with diphtheria and tetanus (dTpa). It's safe and can be given to breastfeeding mothers.

Read more about the whooping cough vaccine in pregnancy.

Immunisation for babies

Babies need to be immunised at 6-8 weeks, 4 months and 6 months. Getting your baby vaccinated on time gives them some protection when they are most at risk of severe illness.

If your child’s vaccines are overdue, see your GP now to complete their childhood immunisation schedule.

Immunisation for older children

A whooping cough booster can be given from 3.5 years of age.

A second whooping cough booster is offered in high school, generally through the year 8 school immunisation program.

Check if your child has been vaccinated. Check their immunisation book, speak to your GP or ring the Australian Childhood Immunisation Register on 1800 653 809 to check your child’s record.

Immunisation for adults

A booster for adults is recommended:

• if you have not had a pertussis vaccination in the past 10 years
• for both parents when they are planning a pregnancy
• for other adult household members, grandparents and carers of infants under 12 months of age
• for adults working with young children, especially health care and child care workers.

If you are a close contact of someone with whooping cough:

If you have been exposed to someone with whooping cough early in their illness while they are infectious, watch out for symptoms and see your doctor if you become unwell with a cough.

Some babies and some pregnant women may need antibiotics to prevent whooping cough infection if they have had significant contact with an infectious person.

Minimise spread of infection

Whooping cough is spread by infected people coughing or sneezing. The following actions can help reduce the risk of infection spreading:

• Teach children about cough and sneeze etiquette e.g. cough or sneeze into your elbow rather than your hand.
• If you used a tissue to cover your nose or mouth, place this in a closed bin after use.
• Wash your hands.

Your doctor may ask about your symptoms and whether you’ve had any contact with someone infected with whooping cough. 

If your doctor thinks you have whooping cough, they will take a swab from the back of your nose and send it to the laboratory to confirm the diagnosis.

Young infants particularly those too young to have been immunised may need treatment in intensive care in hospital ; these infants are very vulnerable to infection and can die.

Antibiotics are used to treat whooping cough in the early stages of illness and can help prevent the spread of whooping cough infection to others.

People who are not treated early with the right antibiotics can spread the infection in the first 3 weeks of showing symptoms.

After 5 days of antibiotic treatment, people are normally no longer infectious, however, the cough often continues for many weeks, despite being treated with antibiotics.