Pertussis, also known as whooping cough, is a serious respiratory illness that can cause violent coughing fits. Gasping for breath after a coughing fit can sometimes cause a “whooping” sound, but not all children make this noise. These coughing fits can last 10 weeks or longer and they can return the next time the child has a respiratory illness. Babies can easily catch whooping cough from family members who don’t know they have it. Half of all whooping cough deaths are among babies less than 2 months old, who are too young to get vaccinated. By getting the DTaP vaccine, pregnant women can pass temporary protection to their babies. Once babies are old enough to be vaccinated, the DTaP vaccine is the best way to give them protection from whooping cough without the risk of serious complications of the disease.

Learn more on the CDC’s whooping cough page or DSHS Vaccine Preventable Disease Conditions | Pertussis (Whooping Cough).

Pertussis (whooping cough) is caused by bacteria. Pertussis can be deadly to infants. It may cause coughing fits, choking, pneumonia, brain damage, and even death. In some cases, babies cannot breathe or cough. Pertussis can cause serious illness and even death because newborns and infants are too young to be fully vaccinated. It is necessary for mothers, family members, close friends, and caregivers to be vaccinated against pertussis so they do not get infected and transmit the bacteria to your newborn baby.

Pertussis is an infectious disease that starts like a cold, with a runny nose and cough. As time passes, the cough gets worse and lasts for a long time – possibly making you gasp for air or vomit after coughing fits and coughing more at night. You may think it is a typical cough, but it could be pertussis. Your doctor may run a test to see if you have pertussis.

Pertussis spreads through droplets when you talk, cough, and sneeze.

Pertussis can be deadly to infants. It keeps them from breathing and eating. It may cause pneumonia, brain damage, and even death.

The Tdap vaccine can prevent adults from getting pertussis and giving it to babies. If you have been exposed to someone with pertussis, your doctor may give you antibiotics to prevent you from getting sick, especially if you are pregnant or in contact with babies.