Whooping Cough in Adults and Kids: Symptoms, Testing, and the Tdap Shot

Whooping cough (pertussis) is a bacterial infection that starts like a cold, with a runny nose and mild cough, then turns into violent coughing fits that can end in a "whoop" when you breathe in, vomiting or exhaustion. The cough can last weeks or months. It's most dangerous for babies, who may not cough at all and instead have pauses in breathing. Antibiotics help, especially early. The Tdap vaccine protects teens and adults, and getting it during pregnancy protects newborns.

How whooping cough progresses

Stage 1 (1 to 2 weeks): runny nose, sneezing, low fever and a mild, occasional cough. It looks like a cold, and this is when it spreads most easily.

Stage 2 (1 to 6 weeks, sometimes longer): coughing fits, many rapid coughs in a row, often followed by:

• A high-pitched "whoop" when breathing in
• Vomiting after a coughing fit
• Exhaustion after a fit
• Fits that are worse at night

Between fits, people often seem fine.

Stage 3 (weeks to months): the cough slowly fades, but can flare with the next cold.

In adults and teens

Adults and teens, especially those who were vaccinated as children, often have a milder illness without the whoop: just a stubborn cough that goes on for weeks. That makes it easy to miss and to pass on to babies.

In babies

Babies are at the highest risk of serious complications, including pneumonia and pauses in breathing. They may not cough or whoop at all. Instead, watch for gagging, gasping, pauses in breathing, or turning blue or red.

Testing and treatment

A clinician can diagnose whooping cough from the symptoms and a nose swab sent to a lab. Antibiotics treat the infection and stop you spreading it after about five days of treatment, and they work best when started early. They may not shorten the cough once the coughing fits have begun. Close contacts, especially in a household with a baby or pregnant person, may also be given antibiotics.

Who needs a Tdap shot

The Tdap vaccine protects against tetanus, diphtheria and pertussis (whooping cough):

• Preteens: one dose at 11 or 12
• Adults: one dose if you've never had Tdap, then a tetanus booster every 10 years
• During every pregnancy: ideally between 27 and 36 weeks, to protect the newborn
• Anyone around babies: grandparents, caregivers and siblings who aren't up to date

Babies and young children get a different version, DTaP, from their pediatrician. AfterOurs gives Tdap for teens and adults. Our Tdap post has more detail.

When to get seen

Come in for a cough with coughing fits, a cough that has lasted more than two weeks, or a cough after contact with someone who has whooping cough, and to get a Tdap shot. At an AfterOurs clinic, a standard self-pay visit is $175, and a self-pay in-clinic visit never costs more than $330. Tdap is priced separately on our menu. We contract with all major commercial and government plans, including Colorado Medicaid and Medicare. See our Tdap vaccine page and the cost and insurance page.

Call 911 or go to the ER if a baby has pauses in breathing, gasps or struggles to breathe, turns blue or gray, or is too tired to feed; or if anyone has trouble breathing between coughing fits, lips turning blue, or a seizure.

Where to find us

Four clinics across metro Denver, all ages welcome, se habla español:

• Hampden (Southeast Denver): 8 AM–11 PM daily
• Littleton: 8 AM–11 PM daily
• Thornton: 8 AM–11 PM daily
• Highlands: Mon–Fri 5–11 PM, Sat–Sun 8 AM–11 PM

Walk in, or book online.