Pertussis (Whooping Cough)

Pertussis is a highly contagious bacterial infection of the respiratory system. The bacteria Bordetella pertussis attaches to the tiny hairs in your airways and releases toxins that cause inflammation and thick mucus buildup. This leads to severe, uncontrollable coughing fits that can last for weeks or months.

The condition gets its nickname from the distinctive whooping sound people make when gasping for air after a coughing fit. While anyone can get pertussis, it is most dangerous for babies under one year old. Their airways are small, and the infection can lead to breathing problems, pneumonia, or even brain damage from lack of oxygen.

Pertussis typically progresses through three stages over 6 to 10 weeks. Early symptoms look like a common cold. Then severe coughing fits begin, followed by a slow recovery period. Blood tests during the infection often show unusually high levels of white blood cells called lymphocytes, especially in infants and young children.

• Severe coughing fits that can last several minutes without a break
• Whooping sound when breathing in after coughing
• Vomiting or exhaustion after coughing fits
• Runny nose and mild fever in the early stage
• Red or blue face during coughing episodes
• Thick mucus that is difficult to clear
• Difficulty sleeping due to nighttime coughing
• Brief pauses in breathing, especially in infants

Infants may not cough at all but instead struggle to breathe or stop breathing temporarily. Adults and vaccinated individuals may have milder symptoms that resemble a persistent cold with a nagging cough.

Pertussis spreads through respiratory droplets when an infected person coughs or sneezes. The bacteria release toxins that damage the lining of your airways and trigger excessive mucus production. Immunity from vaccines or past infection fades over time, which means adults and adolescents can catch and spread pertussis even if they were vaccinated as children.

Unvaccinated or partially vaccinated children face the highest risk of severe disease. Babies too young for the full vaccine series are especially vulnerable. Close contact with infected individuals in households, schools, or daycare settings increases exposure risk. Outbreaks tend to occur in communities with lower vaccination rates. Adults caring for infants should ensure their pertussis vaccines are current to prevent spreading the infection.

Doctors diagnose pertussis based on the characteristic cough and exposure history. In the early stages, a nasal swab or throat culture can detect the bacteria directly. Blood tests often reveal elevated white blood cell counts, particularly high levels of lymphocytes. In infants, lymphocyte counts above 20,000 cells per microliter strongly suggest pertussis and help assess disease severity.

Rite Aid offers blood testing that measures your white blood cell count and lymphocyte levels. These tests can support a clinical diagnosis and help monitor how your immune system is responding to the infection. Our flagship panel includes comprehensive white blood cell analysis at over 2,000 Quest Diagnostics locations nationwide.

• Antibiotics in the early stage to reduce symptom severity and prevent spread to others
• Keeping airways clear by sitting upright during coughing fits
• Drinking plenty of fluids to stay hydrated and thin mucus
• Eating small, frequent meals to prevent vomiting after coughing
• Using a cool mist humidifier to soothe irritated airways
• Avoiding smoke, dust, and other respiratory irritants
• Hospitalization for infants or severe cases requiring oxygen or breathing support
• Close monitoring of young children for complications like pneumonia or dehydration