Whooping Cough (Pertussis)
Time from exposure to illness (incubation period): 4–21 days (usually 7–10 days).
Signs and symptoms
- May begin like a cold with a blocked or runny nose, tiredness and maybe a cough.
- There may be a mild fever as well.
- After 3–7 days a short dry cough develops which gets worse and becomes a series of quick short coughs ending in a ‘whoop’ sound as your child tries to get their breath. The cough may last for many weeks or even months.
- Young babies may have difficulty feeding and can choke or gag.
See your doctor first for treatment (which will usually be antibiotics). Your doctor will need to report any outbreaks to the local Public Health Unit so other people who might be infected can be contacted.
Treatment at home
- Give small frequent amounts of soft food and cool drinks, along with the antibiotics prescribed by your doctor.
- Other family members may also need to be given antibiotics by the doctor.
- Place your child in a sitting position for easier breathing.
Infectious period
Whooping cough is infectious 1-3 weeks before and for up to 3 weeks after they start coughing. They should not attend school or daycare for 3 weeks after the start of the cough or until they have received at least the first 5 days of antibiotics.
Antibiotics should also be given to anyone living in the same house or who has had very close contact with your child while they were infectious.
