04/09/2025
Whooping cough (pertussis) is an infection of the lungs and breathing tubes. It spreads very easily and can be serious. It's important for babies, children and anyone who's pregnant to get vaccinated against it.
Symptoms of whooping cough
The first signs of whooping cough are similar to a cold, such as a runny nose and sore throat (a high temperature is uncommon).
After about a week, you or your child:
will get coughing bouts that last for a few minutes and are worse at night
may make a "whoop" sound – a gasp for breath between coughs (young babies and some adults may not "whoop")
may have difficulty breathing after a coughing bout and may turn blue or grey (young infants)
may bring up a thick mucus, which can make you vomit
may become very red in the face (more common in adults)
The cough may last for several weeks or months.
Urgent advice: Ask for an urgent GP appointment or get help from NHS 111 if:
your baby is under 6 months old and has symptoms of whooping cough
you or your child have a very bad cough that is getting worse
you've been in contact with someone with whooping cough and you're pregnant
Check symptoms on 111 online (for children aged 5 and over) or call 111 (for children under 5).
For full details visit : https://www.nhs.uk/conditions/whooping-cough/
What is ? The first signs can look like a cold, and although some babies and adults don't make the characteristic 'whoop' it's important to be able to recognise it.
Know the signs & symptoms and how it's treated: https://bit.ly/4dpjs3h
