What is pertussis (whooping cough)? 

Pertussis is an illness caused by a type of bacteria (germs) known as Bordetella pertussis that gets into your child’s nose, throat and lungs. Pertussis is very serious because: 

• It causes long, intense coughing spells that makes it hard for infants and children to eat, drink or even breathe. 
• It can lead to pneumonia, brain damage, seizures and death, especially in infants.
  • About one in 400 infants with pertussis dies because of pneumonia or brain damage. 
• A child can be sick with pertussis for two to three months .

What are the symptoms of pertussis? 

Symptoms generally appear nine to 10 days after infection and can vary based on age. 

Pertussis usually starts like a cold with a runny nose, red watery eyes, mild fever and cough. 

After a few days, the cough may worsen with coughing spells that are followed by a “whoop” sound before the next breath. The cough is usually severe for two to three weeks before it starts getting better.  

Your child may cough so much that they: 

• throw up 
• have trouble breathing 
• become exhausted 

Check out this video from the Mayo Clinic to hear what a whooping cough sounds like.

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How do you get pertussis? 

Pertussis is very contagious. It is easily spread from one person to another though the air when a person with pertussis sneezes or coughs. This can happen when spending time with someone with pertussis 

How can I protect my child? 

The best way to protect you or your child is to be immunized with a pertussis containing vaccine.   

• Babies under two months of age are too young for their first immunization but can be protected if everyone around them is up to date with their immunizations.
  • Pregnant people should be immunized with Tdap vaccine in every pregnancy. This helps protect your newborn baby for the first few months of life. 
• Immunize infants starting at two months of age. 
• All adolescents should get one “booster” dose of Tdap at 13 to 15 years of age. 
• Adults who are due for a tetanus booster and have never had a pertussis-containing vaccine in adulthood should get the Tdap vaccine. 

What should I do if I think my child has pertussis?  

If you suspect your child has pertussis, take them to:  

• Doctor’s office 
• Walk-in clinic 
• Nursing station 
• Community health centre 

If you do not have a health-care provider, Family Doctor Finder can help. 

How is pertussis diagnosed? 

• To diagnose pertussis, your health-care provider will take a swab from your child’s nose and test it.  
• A health-care provider will contact you if you or your child tests positive for pertussis and will provide further information on prevention of exposure to others. 

How is pertussis treated? 

• Treatment with appropriate antibiotics can help to shorten the length of symptoms and prevent the spread to others. 
• If antibiotics are prescribed, your child should take all the medication, even if they seem better. 

Do I need to keep my child home? 

• If your child has pertussis, your child is contagious. They need to have antibiotics for five days before they can attend daycare or school. 
• After being treated for five days with appropriate antibiotics, only send them if they are feeling well enough to attend.  
• Avoid contact with infants under one year of age, pregnant women and those who are unvaccinated until considered no longer infectious.   
• A public health nurse will contact you if you or your child tests positive for pertussis and will provide further information on prevention of exposure to others. 

Tips for comforting your child: 

• Keep your child hydrated by offering plenty of fluids or breastfeeding/chestfeeding on cue. 
• Let your child rest .
• If your child is over one year old and does not have an allergy, offer them honey. 
• If your child has a fever, dress your child in light clothing and remove any extra blankets. 
• Acetaminophen (Tylenol®, Tempra®) or ibuprofen (Advil®, Motrin®) are the medicines that can be used to reduce your child’s aches and pains from the fever and illness.
  • How much you give is based on your child’s age and weight. 
  • Follow the medicine’s directions for how much and how often you can give the medicine to your child. 
  • Do not give any medication if your child is allergic to it. 

Choose the right medication for your child

• Do not give acetylsalicylic acid (ASA, Aspirin®) to children because it can cause a rare and dangerous disease called Reye’s Syndrome. 
• Do not give ibuprofen (Advil®, Motrin®) if your child is dehydrated, vomiting or has diarrhea because it can harm the kidneys. 
• Do not give over-the-counter cough and cold medicines to children less than six years old. 
• Check with your pharmacist if your child is taking two or more medications to make sure it’s safe. 

Call your local pharmacist or Health Links-Info Santé (Winnipeg 204-788-8200, toll-free 1-888-315-9257) for information.  

How to prevent the spread of pertussis 

• Stay up to date with your family’s immunizations. 
• Wash your hands and your child’s hands with soap and water after coughing, sneezing or wiping a runny nose. To learn more see Hand Hygiene – Government of Manitoba 
  • Tip: Sing your child’s favourite song with them while washing hands to make sure they are washing long enough. 
• Cough and sneeze into the inside of your elbow or into a tissue instead of your hands. To learn more see: Cover your Cough and Sneeze – Government of Manitoba. 

When to seek emergency care 

Call 911 or your local emergency number if: 

• your child is having severe difficulty breathing or is turning blue 
• your child is having a seizure 
• you cannot wake up your child 

Go to the emergency department, nursing station or health centre if your child: 

• is coughing so hard and for so long that they cannot breathe or stop breathing 
• has had a seizure today (child passes out and is stiff or has jerking movements) 
• has difficulty breathing or is wheezing 

References

• Pertussis – Caring for Kids 
• Whooping Cough – Healthy Children 
• Pertussis Whooping Cough – Centre for Disease Control and Prevention   
• Pertussis (whooping cough): symptoms – Canada.ca 
•  Pertussis Communicable Disease Management Protocol – Government of Manitoba  
• Pertussis (whooping cough): For Health Professionals – Canada.ca