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This article is for general information only and does not replace medical advice. If in doubt, contact your paediatrician or midwife.

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Whooping Cough (Pertussis) in Babies

Whooping cough is a highly contagious bacterial respiratory infection that can be life-threatening for newborns and infants under 6 months. Vaccination (from 9 weeks of age) is the most important protection. Pregnant women should also be vaccinated at 28-32 weeks to provide passive immunity to the baby.

Possible Causes

  • 1Bacterium Bordetella pertussis — highly contagious via droplet transmission (coughing, sneezing)
  • 2Missing or incomplete vaccination in the baby
  • 3Contact with infected adults or siblings (often only mild cough in vaccinated individuals)
  • 4Waning vaccine protection in close contacts (booster every 10 years recommended)
  • 5No passive immunity if the mother was not vaccinated during pregnancy

What You Can Do

  • Antibiotics (azithromycin or erythromycin) — mainly to reduce contagiousness
  • Hospitalisation for infants under 6 months (monitoring for breathing pauses)
  • Many small feeds instead of few large ones — vomiting after coughing fits is common
  • Calm environment — stimulation can trigger coughing fits
  • Humid air can provide relief (but NO steam inhalation for babies)

When to See a Doctor

  • Breathing pauses (apnoea) — especially in newborns LIFE-THREATENING
  • Blue lips or blue face during a coughing fit
  • Baby stops drinking or refuses feeds
  • Coughing fits followed by vomiting with every episode
  • Fever above 38.5°C in an infant under 3 months
  • Exhaustion between coughing fits — child appears lethargic

Age-Specific Notes

Newborns and infants under 6 months are at greatest risk — they can die from respiratory arrest. The typical 'whoop' (inspiratory gasp) is often ABSENT in very young babies! Instead: breathing pauses. Vaccination from 9 weeks, basic immunisation complete only after 4 doses. Cocooning strategy: All close contacts (parents, grandparents, siblings) should be vaccinated.

Frequently Asked Questions

Why is whooping cough so dangerous for babies?
Babies under 6 months have too-narrow airways, too-weak muscles, and an immature immune system. They cannot cough up the thick mucus and respond with breathing pauses instead of the typical whoop. About 1% of infected infants under 6 months die from whooping cough — which is why vaccination is so important.
Can I protect my baby from whooping cough through breastfeeding?
Breast milk contains antibodies that generally strengthen the immune system, but it does NOT provide reliable protection against pertussis. The only effective protection is vaccination — both the mother's vaccination during pregnancy and the baby's vaccination from 9 weeks of age.
How long does whooping cough last?
Untreated whooping cough lasts 6-10 weeks in 3 phases: catarrhal stage (1-2 weeks cold-like), paroxysmal stage (2-6 weeks with typical coughing fits), and convalescent stage (2-4 weeks declining). Antibiotics shorten the contagious period but hardly the illness duration.

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This article is for general information only. It does not replace individual medical advice. If you have concerns, contact your paediatrician, midwife, or call emergency services.