Whooping cough (pertussis)

Whooping cough, also known as pertussis, is a serious respiratory infection. It is very contagious and can make babies really sick.

Read factsheet

Vaccination is the best protection from severe illness. It is very important for pregnant women to be vaccinated during each pregnancy – this helps protect the baby in its first months of life before it can have its own vaccination. For further information on recommended vaccinations, see How is whooping cough prevented?. 

Early symptoms

Whooping cough usually starts with cold-like symptoms that can include:


Runny or blocked nose


Sneezing and cough


Fever

Later symptoms

As the disease progresses, the cough gets worse. The cough often lasts 5 to 7 weeks, sometimes longer and can be worse at night. Symptoms can include:


Intense, uncontrollable coughing,
which may be followed
by gasping or a 'whoop' sound


Vomiting or choking after coughing fits

 

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Whooping cough can make babies very sick.

Some babies and young children with whooping cough may not cough at all. Other symptoms can include: 

  • ​not feeding well, and choking or gagging
  • pauses in breathing and turning blue.

If your child has trouble breathing or turns blue - this is an emergency

Call Triple Zero (000) or go to a hospital emergency department now.

If you need advice, call your doctor or healthdirect ​​​on 1800 022 222 (available 24 hours) and a nurse will answer your call.

Read the whooping cough (pertussis) fact sheet for more information.

What is whooping cough?

Whooping cough, also known as pertussis, is a serious respiratory infection. It is caused by the bacteria Bordetella pertussis.

The disease spreads easily from person to person. It spreads in the air as droplets, usually by coughing or sneezing. This means it can spread easily through families, childcare centres and schools.

Babies are at the greatest risk of severe illness, hospitalisation and death. This is why it is important for pregnant women and people in contact with the baby to vaccinated. 

​What if I have symptoms of whooping cough?

  • Stay home. Children should not go to childcare or school. Work from home if possible.
  • Avoid contact with people at high risk of serious illness, including babies and pregnant women.
  • See or talk to your doctor. Tell them if you have been in contact with someone with whooping cough. They may test you for whooping cough and prescribe antibiotic treatment.

For further information on reducing the risk of whooping cough in your household, see the whooping cough factsheet. 

How is whooping cough prevented?

The best protection against whooping cough is vaccination. It is recommended that:

  • women should be vaccinated during each pregnancy between 20 – 32 weeks
  • young children should be vaccinated at age 6 weeks, 4 months, 6 months, 18 months and 4 years of age.
  • children get a booster between 11 to 13 years of age. Schools offer whooping cough vaccination in Year 7.
  • ​adults in contact with small children get a booster every 10 years 
  • adults at age 50, and age 65 years or older, who have not had a pertussis vaccination in the last 10 years.

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Current as at: Monday 24 February 2025
Contact page owner: Vaccine Preventable Diseases