Learn About Whooping Cough

Whooping cough is a highly contagious disease that affects the lungs. This disease is caused by a bacteria called "Bordetella pertussis"—that’s why whooping cough is also called "pertussis."

Adults may not be able to recognize that they have whooping cough from the disease's initial symptoms. That's because whooping cough can start out like a common cold, with runny nose or congestion, sneezing, and maybe mild cough or mild fever. But after 1–2 weeks, severe coughing can begin.

Unlike the common cold, whooping cough can lead to coughing fits that may continue for weeks. Violent and rapid coughing spells can occur. The disease received its name after the loud "whooping" sound that is sometimes made when inhaling air during a coughing fit. While this high-pitched sound is common with children, it is less common with infants and adults with whooping cough. Infants may have a symptom known as "apnea," in which breathing actually stops.

The germs (bacteria) that cause whooping cough can be spread from person to person. The germs can spread when an infected person coughs or sneezes. Those in close contact can become infected by breathing in these germs. Being next to an infected person who coughs or sneezes may put you at risk for catching whooping cough.

People are most able to spread whooping cough when they have cold-like symptoms. At this stage, they may not even know that they have whooping cough. They will be able to spread the disease for the first 2 weeks after the coughing starts.

Adults, adolescents, and infants—anyone who is exposed to the germs (bacteria)—can get whooping cough. While vaccines that help protect against whooping cough are very effective, they may not be 100% effective. If pertussis is circulating in the community, there is still a chance that a fully vaccinated person can catch this very contagious disease.  In 2009, adults and adolescents made up nearly half of the cases of whooping cough reported. Many infants who get whooping cough are infected by parents, older brothers and sisters, or other caregivers.

While the majority of whooping cough cases in adolescents and adults are mild, the disease can be more serious. In more serious cases, whooping cough can lead to intense coughing fits, possibly causing a person to turn blue in the face, vomit, feel very tired and/or pass out. These coughing fits can last for up to 3 months or longer. Complications from whooping cough can include pneumonia and/or loss of bladder control. Coughing can be so severe that it results in broken ribs. Up to 3% of adults with whooping cough get so sick they need to be hospitalized. According to one study, 61% of adults with whooping cough missed work. These individuals missed an average of 10 days.

Sickness from whooping cough can be more serious for infants and young children than for adults. Their sickness from whooping cough may lead to:

• Pneumonia (lung infection)
• Ear infection
• Dehydration (body does not have enough fluids)
• Loss of appetite (less hunger)
• Seizures (jerking and staring)
• Encephalopathy (brain disorder)

More than half of the babies under the age of 1 who have whooping cough must be put in the hospital.

The "whoop" sound of the cough is common in children but is less common in both infants and adults.

*Whooping cough audio courtesy of Dr. Doug Jenkinson.
http://www.whoopingcough.net

There is limited ability to treat all symptoms of whooping cough with antibiotics. Treatment may make the infection less severe if it is started early. It can be difficult to determine when to start treatment since early whooping cough symptoms can be unrecognizable and resemble a cold.

A vaccine called Tdap can help protect you against 3 diseases: tetanus, diphtheria, and pertussis. Pertussis is another name for whooping cough. Talk to your healthcare provider to find out if vaccination is right for you.