What to know about whooping cough

Whooping cough (also called pertussis) is a contagious illness that causes long, severe coughing fits. It often starts like a cold—with sneezing, a runny nose, or a mild fever—but gets worse over time. The cough can be so strong that it’s hard to breathe or eat, especially for babies, young kids, and even older adults. Whooping cough can be dangerous, but vaccines help protect everyone, especially the people who are most at risk.

Whooping Cough in 15 seconds

Why is whooping cough so serious?

Whooping cough can lead to serious complications, especially for those most at risk.

Babies under 1 are at the highest risk for severe illness, hospitalization, and even death from whooping cough. Many infants catch it from parents, siblings, or caregivers who don’t know they’re sick.
Pregnant people who get whooping cough late in pregnancy can pass it to their newborns before the baby is protected.
Older adults and people with weakened immune systems are also at higher risk for complications.
People can easily spread whooping cough for weeks through coughing or sneezing.

How do I protect my family?

The best way to protect against whooping cough is through vaccination. The DTaP and Tdap vaccines protect against whooping cough (the P is for pertussis), along with diphtheria and tetanus. Babies should get five doses of the DTaP vaccine, starting the series at 2 months. Older kids need a Tdap dose around age 11. Pregnant people should get the Tdap vaccine during each pregnancy to help protect their newborns from birth. Adults, including grandparents and caregivers, should also check if they’re due for a Tdap booster—especially if they’ll be around infants. Staying up to date helps protect your whole family, especially the youngest and most vulnerable.

Learn more

Looking for more info about whooping cough? Visit these sites for what parents need to know.

Minnesota Department of Health: Pertussis: What Parents Need to Know

Find information for parents in several languages about how to prevent whooping cough.

HealthyChildren.org: Whooping Cough (Pertussis): Symptoms, Treatment & Prevention

From the American Academy of Pediatrics, this page explains why whooping cough is dangerous for babies and how to protect your children.

CDC: Whooping Cough Vaccination

Learn more about whooping cough and the recommended vaccination schedule to make sure that your kids and whole family are protected.