Whooping Cough: Everything You Need to Know
Whooping cough, also called pertussis, is a bacterial infection of the respiratory system. While cases are relatively rare in the UK thanks to vaccination, the disease can be serious, especially for babies under 6 months old.
The UK introduced a pregnancy vaccination programme in 2012 in response to a national epidemic. This has dramatically reduced the number of babies infected. Pertussis is cyclical and tends to peak every 3–5 years.
Why Whooping Cough is Important
Whooping cough is highly contagious and can lead to severe complications, including death, particularly in:
- Babies under 6 months
- The elderly
- People with weakened immune systems
- Anyone who is unvaccinated.
The UK Health Security Agency (UKHSA) monitors outbreaks and lists whooping cough as a notifiable disease, meaning suspected cases must be reported to public health authorities to help prevent further spread.
Symptoms of Whooping Cough
Symptoms often develop gradually, starting with cold-like signs for about a week:
- Runny nose, sneezing, sore throat, low-grade temperature
- Persistent coughing bouts, often worse at night
- The characteristic “whoop” sound (not always present, especially in babies)
- Breathing difficulties — infants may turn blue or grey, adults may look very red in the face.
- Thick mucus or vomiting after coughing.
People who are immunized or previously had whooping cough tend to have milder symptoms, though immunity is not lifelong.
Contagious period: About 6 days after cold-like symptoms begin, up to 3 weeks after coughing starts. Early antibiotic treatment can reduce the contagious period.
Treatment
- Adults and older children: Often prescribed antibiotics if diagnosed within 3 weeks to prevent spreading it to others. Rest at home, avoid schools, nurseries, and contact with vulnerable people.
- Babies under 6 months: Likely require hospital treatment, which may include airway suctioning and supplemental oxygen.
- Untreated individuals can remain infectious for up to 21 days.
Supportive care at home:
- Rest and hydration.
- Paracetamol or Calpol for discomfort or fever
- Avoid spreading the infection.
Whooping Cough Vaccination in Pregnancy
Pregnant people can protect their babies from birth by getting vaccinated.
Key points:
- Optimal timing: Between 16–32 weeks of pregnancy.
- Can be given later in pregnancy if needed, ideally at least 2 weeks before birth to allow antibodies to pass to the baby.
- Every pregnancy: Vaccination is recommended each time you are pregnant.
- Protection is passed to the baby via the placenta, helping guard them until they receive their own vaccines at 2 months.
- The vaccine is over 90% effective in preventing severe disease in infants.
Routine infant schedule: 6-in-1 vaccine at 8, 12, 16 weeks, and a pre-school booster at 3 years 4 months.
Side effects: Mild soreness, redness, or swelling at the injection site are common. Serious reactions are extremely rare. If you notice severe reactions (rash, swelling of face/mouth/throat, lethargy, high fever), seek urgent medical attention via GP, 111, or A&E.
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