Whooping Cough (Pertussis)
[per-tuhs-is]
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Whooping cough (pertussis) is easily spread from person to person by coughing or sneezing. It can cause violent, rapid coughing until there isn’t any air in your lungs and you are forced to inhale with a loud “whooping” sound. This extreme coughing can last for weeks and cause you to throw up or crack ribs. Young babies with whooping cough have trouble breathing, sometimes without the typical cough. About half end up in the hospital and a few die from the disease. Vaccines are the best way to prevent whooping cough. There are two types of whooping cough vaccines—DTaP for babies and young children and Tdap for preteens, teens, pregnant women, and adults.
Quiz
Key Facts
- Whooping cough is only found in humans and is spread from person to person by coughing or sneezing.
- In the United States there were more than 48,000 cases and 20 deaths reported in 2012—a 50-year high.
- About half of babies younger than 1 year old who get whooping cough end up in the hospital.
- Two vaccines help prevent whooping cough: DTaP for children younger than 7 years old and Tdap for older children and adults, including pregnant women.
- Pregnant women who get Tdap in their 3rd trimester pass some short-term protection against whooping cough to their baby.
Media
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Anyone who comes in close contact with a baby, from older siblings and cousins to grandparents and caregivers, should be up to date with whooping cough vaccination.
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If you are pregnant, you are recommended to get the whooping cough shot called Tdap to help protect yourself and your baby.
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Healthcare professionals may recommend antibiotics (no matter the age and vaccination status) for close contacts of someone with whooping cough to help prevent or reduce their chance of getting whooping cough.
Prevention Tips
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The best way to prevent whooping cough is to get vaccinated. Both whooping cough vaccines (DTaP and Tdap) protect against 3 diseases: diphtheria, tetanus, and whooping cough.
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Children need to get a DTaP shot at 2, 4, and 6 months old to build a high level of protection against whooping cough.
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DTaP booster shots are needed at 15 through 18 months and 4 through 6 years old to help maintain protection.
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Preteens should get Tdap at 11 or 12 years old. Teens who didn’t get Tdap as a preteen should get one dose the next time they visit their doctor.
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All adults who didn’t get Tdap as a preteen or teen should get one dose of Tdap.
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Pregnant women should get Tdap during each pregnancy in their 3rd trimester to provide short-term protection to their baby in early life.
- Page last reviewed: March 3, 2016
- Page last updated: March 3, 2016
- Content source:
- Centers for Disease Control and Prevention
- Page maintained by: Office of Associate Director of Communication, Division of Public Affairs