Whooping cough (pertussis)

Pertussis, more commonly known as whooping cough, is an infection that affects the lungs and airways. Whooping cough is very infectious, which means it passes easily from one person to another.

Symptoms tend to develop in stages, starting with mild cold-like symptoms. These can be followed by more severe symptoms before an improvement. Symptoms of whooping cough can last for two to three months. Whooping cough spreads easily by breathing in tiny droplets that are released into the air when people with the disease cough or sneeze.  

Whooping cough can cause long bursts of coughing and choking, which make it hard to breathe. The ‘whoop’ noise is caused by gasping for breath after each period of coughing. Young babies don’t always do this, which can make it difficult to recognise the disease.  

Symptoms of whooping cough can last for two to three months. Babies under the age of one are at the greatest risk of serious illness and are at risk of dying from the disease.  

Whooping cough can affect people of all ages. It can be very serious and lead to severe lung problems (pneumonia) and permanent brain damage. Babies under the age of one are at the greatest risk of serious illness and are at risk of dying from the disease.  

Before the whooping cough vaccine was introduced, the average number of suspected cases reported each year in the UK was 120,000. In the year before the vaccine was introduced, 92 children died.  

Symptoms of whooping cough

The first signs of whooping cough are like the symptoms of a cold. After about a week, you will notice: 

• coughing bouts that last for a few minutes and are worse at night 
• a “whoop” sound, as if you’re gasping for breath between coughs (young babies and adults may not “whoop”), or 
• thick mucus, which may cause sickness (vomiting). 

Learn more

If you would like to learn more about the vaccines or the diseases it protects against, a number of information resources are available to help. You can also call NHS 111 or your GP practice for advice if you have any questions.