​Pertussis, or whooping cough, is a bacterial disease caused by Bordetella pertussis. Pertussis is a very contagious disease that usually starts with symptoms similar to a common cold, and within 5 to 10 days progresses to intense fits of cough characterized by the typical whooping sound. Those cough fits can last from 1 to 10 weeks.

Most people recover from pertussis without complications. However, pertussis might cause severe disease to some high-risk groups. For instance, babies might not cough at all, but might struggle to breathe, or might stop breathing at all (apnea), which can cause them to turn blue (cyanosis). Besides apnea, babies might develop pneumonia, convulsions, and brain disease (encephalopathy). One in 100 (1%) will die from their complications.

People with underlying medical conditions such as asthma, chronic lung disease, and are severely immunocompromised are at a higher risk to be sicker with pertussis, or have their conditions worsened because of pertussis.

Pertussis can cause serious and sometimes life-threatening complications in infants, especially within the first 6 months of life. Administering pertussis vaccine (Tdap) to women during each pregnancy, regardless of previous vaccination status, helps protect infants during the time when they're most vulnerable. The best time for pregnant women to receive pertussis vaccination is between 27 and 36 weeks of gestation. Vaccination during each pregnancy helps transferring protective antibodies to the infant, while also preventing mothers from passing pertussis on to her babies.

There has been a significant increase in the number of cases of pertussis during recent years. Immunity against pertussis may decrease after vaccination, especially due to the use of the acellular pertussis vaccine, which causes less reaction in infants. For this reason, it is recommended that older children and adults receive boosters, as they lose protection over the years. Another factor affecting the increased incidence of pertussis in communities relates to the overall decline in pertussis vaccination coverage, from 95% in 2019 to 92% in 2025, with some communities experiencing a more significant decline than others.

Pertussis is usually treated with a multi-day course of appropriate antibiotics, such as azithromycin, erythromycin or clarithromycin, or an acceptable alternative. Amoxicillin is not effective to treat pertussis. Treatment within the first 1-2 weeks is most effective for reducing symptom severity. Some children may need to be hospitalized. 

CDC recommends use of post-exposure prophylaxis (PEP) to all asymptomatic household contacts of a pertussis case within 21 days of their cough onset, as well as providing PEP to people at high risk of severe infection within 21 days of exposure to an infectious pertussis case. This is to prevent disease spread as well as to protect at-risk individuals from developing severe disease.

Vaccines are the best way to protect against pertussis. There are 2 types of combination vaccines that include protection against pertussis: DTaP and Tdap. The letter "T" in DTaP and Tdap shows they also help protect against tetanus. The letter "D/d" in DTaP and Tdap shows they also help protect against diphtheria.

Tdap for pre-teens: Ages 11 through 12 years

Tdap for pregnant women: During 27th through 36th week of gestation, in each pregnancy

Tdap for adults: Anytime, for those who have never received it

​KCHD: 4 Common Misconceptions About Whooping Cough

KCHD: Pertussis School and Activities Exclusion Recommendations​

CDC: Whooping Cough Vaccination 

CDC: Vaccinating Pregnant Patients 

CDC: Laboratory Testing for Pertussis