What it is
Antibiotics may be given in the first weeks to stop it spreading. Babies with whooping cough often need hospital care.
Babies and children are vaccinated as part of routine immunisations, and vaccination in pregnancy protects newborns.
Common signs
- Cold-like symptoms at first
- Long bouts of coughing, worse at night
- A "whoop" sound when breathing in after coughing
- Being sick after coughing
- Babies may go red or blue, or briefly stop breathing
How it is usually diagnosed
- Questions about symptoms
- A swab from the back of the nose
- Blood test
Records worth keeping
Keeping these together makes each appointment easier, especially when you see a new doctor:
- Swab and blood test results
- Vaccination records
- GP or paediatric notes
- Hospital discharge letters
Questions to ask your doctor
- Do I need antibiotics?
- How long should I stay away from others?
- Are my family protected by vaccination?
When to get help right away
Call 112 or go to the nearest emergency department if you have:
- A baby or anyone who stops breathing, turns blue or grey, or has severe difficulty breathing: call 112
- A baby under 6 months with a cough that might be whooping cough: get urgent help the same day
This page is general information. It is not a diagnosis and does not replace a doctor who knows your history. Medfold keeps your records organised; it does not interpret them.