Whooping cough, also called pertussis, is a serious and contagious disease. It's important to know what to do if your child gets it.
Early symptoms of whooping cough are like a cold, such as a runny nose, mild cough, and fever. After a week or two, your child may have severe coughing fits with a "whooping" sound when they breathe in.
If you think your child has whooping cough, call the doctor right away. Early treatment can help your child feel better and stop the spread of the illness.
The doctor will check your child and may do tests like a nasal swab or blood test to see if it’s whooping cough.
Follow the doctor’s instructions carefully. They might give your child antibiotics and other medicines to help with symptoms.
Keep your child at home and away from others, especially babies and people with weak immune systems, to prevent spreading whooping cough.
Make sure your child gets lots of rest. Rest helps their body fight the infection and recover faster.
Give your child plenty of fluids to drink, like water, juice, or clear soups, to keep them hydrated.
Use a humidifier in your child’s room to keep the air moist and help ease their cough. Keep them away from smoke and strong smells.
Watch your child for any serious symptoms like trouble breathing, not drinking enough, or throwing up a lot. Get medical help if these happen.
Make sure your child and family members are up-to-date with their whooping cough vaccines. The DTaP vaccine can protect against whooping cough.