Hopefully, if you're pregnant, you will be vaccinated against whooping cough and pass on temporary protection to your growing baby. If you are being cared for by the UK’s NHS, you will usually be offered the vaccine at your 20-week scan, and after vaccination, you will produce antibodies that share your immunity with your baby through the placenta. If you are unsure who is supposed to vaccinate you against whooping cough while you are pregnant, or you have not been offered the vaccine, it's important to ask. Research shows that a pregnancy vaccine is very successful in protecting your newborn until they begin vaccination at about eight weeks. It’s not safe to vaccinate them before two months of age; the complications could be severe. They will get vaccine boosters at 12 and 16 weeks to maximise protection. A pre-school booster is offered at 3 years and 4 months. However, even when they are vaccinated, babies sometimes develop this serious respiratory condition. Let’s take a look at how to tell if your baby has symptoms.

What is whooping cough?

Whooping cough is a highly infectious condition of the lungs and breathing tubes. It is most common in babies and young children who have not had the vaccine or for whom the vaccine has not been effective. The whooping cough vaccine is not 100% effective, but there is a chance that a vaccinated child can catch it, especially in areas where people have chosen not to vaccinate their children. Whooping cough is caused by the Bordetella pertussis bacteria and is spread through coughing and sneezing. Babies can catch whooping coughs from adults and children.

How can I tell if my baby has a whooping cough (pertussis)?

Initially, it can manifest like the common cold. Features of the first stage may include a mild cough, a slight fever, and a runny nose. Babies won’t usually make the whooping sound characteristic of those with the condition when gasping for air. The condition progresses to bouts of severe coughing that will prevent your child from eating and can cause a baby to turn blue or grey. Frighteningly, very tiny babies can also simply stop breathing.

How serious is whooping cough in babies?

Whooping coughs can be extremely serious in babies. It is generally the worst for children under one year old. It can cause brain damage and pneumonia and is potentially fatal in babies.

How can I protect my baby from whooping cough?

Get vaccinated during pregnancy; ensure everyone in your home and with whom your baby may come into contact is vaccinated; get your baby vaccinated at two months; and ensure they get their boosters at 12 and 16 weeks.

Can I do anything to treat my baby’s whooping cough myself?

A baby under six months old needs to go to the hospital, regardless of the severity of their whooping cough symptoms. You may be able to comfort an older child with fluids and rest, but you should still call for medical help immediately.

Should I isolate my baby if I suspect they have a whooping cough?

Your baby will be contagious, but the risk to their life posed by whooping cough outweighs the benefit of keeping them away from adults. Call your doctor or local hospital and seek guidance. If your baby has a twin or other multiples, it is advisable to keep your baby away from them. If an older child does catch it, the UK Department of Health’s guidance is to keep them off school or nursery for 48 hours after starting antibiotics, or three weeks from the start of their symptoms if they haven't had the treatment.

When should I call the doctor if I suspect my baby has a whooping cough?

Call your doctor or hospital right away if you suspect your baby has a whooping cough.

How long will a baby with a whooping cough be contagious?

They can still be contagious up to three weeks after they begin coughing. They may be given a course of antibiotics that keep them from being contagious after five days of use (though they won’t cure the cough).

When will my baby get over the whooping cough?

This will depend on their case; bouts of whooping cough can last from weeks to months.

Could my baby develop a whooping cough multiple times?

Getting infected with whooping cough doesn’t provide immunity. Subsequent cases will likely be less severe.

What are the long-term effects of whooping cough in babies?

Whooping cough can be fatal for babies and is also associated with medium- and long-term health and developmental problems, including missed milestones and neurodevelopmental disorders.

Will the vaccination give my baby a whooping cough?

No, it is not a live vaccine, and it is vitally important that you get your baby vaccinated for personal, family, and community health.

When do adults need whooping vaccination top-ups?

If an adult did not get a whooping cough vaccination as a preteen or teen, he or she should get a dose instead of a booster. After that, all adults should get a booster every 10 years, but it can be given before the 10-year mark.

How can I tell if my baby has whooping cough?

Unii looks at this potentially fatal infection in babies.