Whooping Cough (Pertussis): symptoms, causes & treatment in Nigeria
Also known as pertussis, 100-day cough.
This page is general health information, not a diagnosis. Always consult a licensed clinician about your own health.
Overview
Whooping cough is a bacterial infection causing violent coughing fits that can end in a high-pitched "whoop", vomiting or exhaustion — and the cough can drag on for weeks. It is most dangerous in young babies, who may stop breathing during fits. Routine pentavalent vaccination protects infants.
Symptoms
Cold-like symptoms for the first week or two
Fits of rapid, violent coughing
A whooping sound when gasping in after a fit
Vomiting after coughing
Exhaustion after fits
In young babies: pauses in breathing or turning blue instead of the whoop
Causes & risk factors
Bordetella pertussis bacteria spread by coughs and sneezes
Incomplete or missed infant vaccination
Contact with infected older children or adults with a lingering cough
Treatment & self-care
Doctors prescribe antibiotics, which reduce spread and help if started early; young infants often need hospital observation because of the risk of breathing pauses. Keep the child rested, offer small frequent feeds and fluids, and keep the air smoke-free. Make sure all infants complete their routine vaccination series on time.
See a doctor urgently if
Coughing fits in a baby under six months — urgent
Pauses in breathing or lips turning blue during fits — emergency
Vomiting after most coughing fits or signs of dehydration
Coughing fits with exhaustion in any child
Frequently asked questions
What are the first signs of Whooping Cough (Pertussis)?
Early signs often include cold-like symptoms for the first week or two, fits of rapid, violent coughing, a whooping sound when gasping in after a fit. Symptoms vary from person to person, so a proper assessment by a doctor is the only way to be sure.
Can Whooping Cough (Pertussis) be treated?
Doctors prescribe antibiotics, which reduce spread and help if started early; young infants often need hospital observation because of the risk of breathing pauses. Keep the child rested, offer small frequent feeds and fluids, and keep the air smoke-free. Make sure all infants complete their routine vaccination series on time.
When should I see a doctor about Whooping Cough (Pertussis)?
See a doctor promptly if you notice: coughing fits in a baby under six months — urgent; pauses in breathing or lips turning blue during fits — emergency; vomiting after most coughing fits or signs of dehydration; coughing fits with exhaustion in any child.