Whooping cough, also known as pertussis, is a highly contagious respiratory infection that can be especially serious for infants and young children. At Children’s Physicians, our pediatric teams in Palm Beach Gardens, Jupiter, and Palm City, FL provide evaluation, diagnosis, and treatment for whooping cough, with a focus on protecting your child’s health and preventing complications.
What Is Whooping Cough?
Whooping cough is an infection of the respiratory tract caused by bacteria. It is contagious and can be spread through respiratory droplets when an infected person coughs or sneezes. The symptoms of whooping cough may begin with common cold symptoms, but they can progress to coughing fits that make it hard to breathe. Whooping cough is most likely to cause complications in infants, toddlers, and unvaccinated people.
Common Symptoms of Whooping Cough
The symptoms of whooping cough occur in stages. At first, children may develop cold symptoms such as a runny nose, low fever, and cough. However, as the disease advances, more serious symptoms may develop. The symptoms of whooping cough may include coughing fits, a high-pitched "whoop" sound when breathing in after coughing, vomiting after coughing fits, exhaustion after coughing spells, and difficulty breathing. In babies, the symptoms of whooping cough may include pauses in breathing rather than coughing.
When to Seek Medical Care
Whooping cough can worsen quickly, especially in young children. Parents should seek medical attention if their child has persistent or severe coughing, difficulty breathing, signs of dehydration, or episodes of turning blue or struggling to catch their breath.
Early evaluation allows for appropriate treatment and helps reduce the risk of spreading the infection to others.
How Whooping Cough Is Diagnosed
At Children’s Physicians, diagnosis begins with a detailed review of your child’s symptoms and medical history. A physical exam is performed, and in some cases, a swab test may be used to confirm the presence of the pertussis bacteria.
Identifying whooping cough early helps guide treatment and supports better outcomes.
Treatment and Management
Treatment for whooping cough often includes antibiotics to reduce the severity of the illness and limit its spread. Supportive care is also important and may include rest, hydration, and monitoring breathing.
Infants and young children with more severe symptoms may require closer observation or hospitalization to ensure safe recovery.
Pediatric Care You Can Trust
Whooping cough can be serious, but early care and prevention make a meaningful difference. At Children’s Physicians, we provide comprehensive pediatric care for families in Palm Beach Gardens, Jupiter, and Palm City, FL, helping children recover safely and stay healthy.
If your child is showing signs of whooping cough or has been exposed, contact Children’s Physicians to schedule an evaluation. Call our offices at (561) 626-4000, (561) 743-9000, or (772) 219-4444 for prompt care.