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Whooping Cough
Whooping cough treatment available online today
Request whooping cough treatment today from our trusted, board-certified online doctors and get relief today. Get a new prescription for whooping cough or refill an existing prescription online.*
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Highly contagious and spreads from person
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*Prescriptions are provided at the doctor’s discretion. Learn more about our controlled substances policy and how you can save up to 80% with our prescription discount card. PlushCare doctors cannot treat all cases of whooping cough. Our primary care physicians can conduct an initial evaluation of your symptoms, but may need to refer you to a specialist or for in-person treatment. If you are experiencing life-threatening symptoms, seek emergency medical attention immediately. Prescriptions are provided at the doctor’s discretion.
Learn about whooping cough
Whooping cough (also known as pertussis) is a highly contagious respiratory infection that is characterized by severe coughing spells that ends with a "whooping" sound due to the high pitch intake of breath. Pertussis vaccine availability means that the bacteria called Bordetella pertussis typically infect young babies who have not received the vaccine or older kids whose immunity is starting to fade and need vaccine boosters.
Whooping cough causes
Whooping cough is a bacterial infection caused the bacteria Bordetella pertussis. These bacteria are highly contagious and spreads from person to person via airborne mechanisms, specifically, via coughing or sneezing. Once in a host, the bacteria attach to the cilia in the upper respiratory system and release harmful chemicals which damage the cilia and cause swelling in the air tract.
Whooping cough symptoms
Symptoms of whooping cough usually develop within 5 to 10 days after exposure, but in some cases, can take as long as 3 weeks to develop. There are early symptoms of whooping cough and later symptoms of whooping cough.
Early symptoms
In the early stages, cold-like symptoms are expected, such as:
Runny nose
Sneezing
Mild cough from time to time
Low-grade fever
Apnea is a pause in breathing that primarily affects babies. If they start to turn blue, seek medical attention right away
Given the deceptive nature of the early stage symptoms, pertussis can typically be mistaken by healthcare providers as the common cold in the early stages.Later stage symptoms
As the disease progresses after 1 to 2 weeks, the hallmark symptoms of pertussis begin to show, including:
Coughing fits followed by a high-pitched “whoop” sound
Vomiting during or after coughing fits
Fatigue after coughing fits
The intense coughing spells begin to rapidly expel air from the lungs, and when there is no more air left in the lungs, a forced sudden intake of breath causes a high pitch "whooping" sound. The coughing spell can cause fatigue and vomiting. As the disease progresses, the coughing spells can occur more frequently at night, and continue for up to 10 weeks or more.
How to treat whooping cough
Pertussis is typically treated with antibiotics by medical professionals. Early treatment is critical for recovery and to prevent the spread. Visit a doctor to get an official diagnosis if you suspect that you or your child has whooping cough. The doctor can make an official diagnosis via the following:
Medical history
Physical exam
Nose and throat mucus lab samples
Blood test
Chest X-ray
With the official diagnosis, the doctor immediately can prescribe antibiotic treatment either for at-home or in-hospital use, depending on severity and age of the patient. Pertussis and complications can be life-threatening for infants younger than 6 months, so hospital treatments are preferred.
Medication for whooping cough
Early treatment of pertussis is critical. The earlier a person, especially an infant, starts treatment (first 1 to 2 weeks before coughing fits), symptoms may be reduced. Treatment after three weeks of illness is unlikely to be effective as the bacteria will most likely have been eradicated by the immune system.
According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, these antibiotics are recommended for treatment of pertussis:
Clarithromycin
Erythromycin
How to prevent whooping cough
Pertussis vaccines are the best method to prevent whooping cough. In United States, this vaccine is given in conjunction with vaccines for tetanus and diphtheria, the DTap and Tdap vaccines. Vaccination consists of a series of five injections at the following ages: 2 months, 4 months, 6 months, 15-18 moths, and 4-6 years.
As the immunity will start to wear off with time, booster shots are recommended for the following groups of people:
Teenagers/adolescents: Immunity effects of the vaccine tend to wear off by around age 11.
Adults: Adults are recommended to get a booster shot at every 10 year interval for continued protection against whooping cough, tetanus, and diphtheria. This is especially important for parents of young children or infants, as the booster can reduce the risk of infecting or getting infected by infants or children.
Pregnant women: Pregnant women are recommended to receive the pertussis vaccine between 27 and 36 weeks of gestation.
Family members of patients with a whooping cough diagnosis may also be prescribed preventive antibiotics.
Adhere to the following personal hygiene routines to prevent the spread:
Wash hands frequently with soap and water
Clean and disinfect commonly touched surfaces in shared spaces
Do not touch your face unnecessarily
Cover coughs and sneezes to reduce the spread area
Stay home if you are sick
When to see a doctor for whooping cough
Visit a doctor if you suspect that you or your child has whooping cough. Early treatment of pertussis is critical. The earlier a person, especially an infant, starts treatment (first 1 to 2 weeks before coughing fits), symptoms may be reduced, and there may be less damages done by the bacteria.
Whooping cough treatment FAQs
What is whooping cough?
Whooping cough (also called pertussis) is a highly contagious respiratory infection, that is characterized by severe rapid coughs that ends with a "whooping" sound due to high pitch intake of breath.
How is whooping cough diagnosed?
The doctor can make an official diagnosis using the following methods:
Physical exam
Medical history
Nose or throat culture
Chest X-ray
Blood sample
What is the best treatment for whooping cough?
Early treatment of pertussis is critical. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, these antibiotics are recommended for treatment of pertussis:
Azithromycin
Clarithromycin
Erythromycin
How long does whooping cough last without treatment?
According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, symptoms of whooping cough from the early stage to the final stage (convalescent stage) can last up to 12 weeks. The coughing spells can last up to 10 weeks or more.
How long is whooping cough contagious after treatment?
Whooping cough is highly contagious. An infected person is likely the most contagious up to about 2 weeks after the beginning of the cough. A person with pertussis can infect a large group of people in the near vicinity (as many as 12 to 15). Antibiotics may shorten the amount of time someone is contagious.
How do antibiotics treat whooping cough?
The following antibiotics are recommended for treatment of pertussis: azithromycin, clarithromycin, and erythromycin. The antibiotics work by stopping important biological processes in the whooping cough bacteria, stopping them from growing and multiplying and/or killing them.
How do you get rid of whooping cough fast?
Early treatment of pertussis is critical. The earlier a person, especially an infant, starts treatment (first 1 to 2 weeks before the coughing fits begin), the duration and severity of the symptoms may be reduced.
3 simple steps to request treatment for whooping cough today
Step 1
Book a whooping cough treatment appointment.
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Step 2
Talk to your medical provider regarding your whooping cough symptoms.
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Step 3
Pick up prescription for whooping cough treatment.
We can send prescriptions to any local pharmacy.
Related conditions to whooping cough
There are illnesses that may be difficult to distinguish from a pertussis infection, including:
Bacterial pneumonia: A bacterial infection, specifically infection by Mycoplasma pneumoniae, can cause prolonged cough symptoms in adolescents and adults.
Cold and influenza: Symptoms from the infections of Adenoviruses, influenza viruses, and enteroviruses are similar to symptoms of whooping cough in the early stage
Whooping cough treatment pricing details
How pricing works
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Paying without insurance
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$16.99/month
First month free
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30 days of free membership
Same-day appointments 7 days a week
Unlimited messages with your Care Team
Prescription discount card to save up to 80%
Exclusive discounts on lab tests
Free memberships for your family
Cancel anytime
Visit price without insurance
Initial visits are $129.
If we're unable to treat you, we'll provide a full refund.
Whooping cough treatment resources
Sources:
PlushCare is dedicated to providing you with accurate and trustworthy health information.
Mayo Clinic. "Whooping Cough (Pertussis) - Symptoms and Causes." Mayo Clinic, Accessed October 23, 2023, https://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/whooping-cough/symptoms-causes/syc-20378973
MedlinePlus. "Whooping Cough (Pertussis)." MedlinePlus, Accessed October 23, 2023, www.medlineplus.gov/whoopingcough.html.
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. "Pertussis (Whooping Cough) - Signs and Symptoms." CDC, Accessed October 23, 2023, www.cdc.gov/pertussis/about/signs-symptoms.html#:~:text=Pertussis%20can%20cause%20violent%20and,up%20and%20be%20very%20tired.
American Lung Association. "Learn About Pertussis (Whooping Cough)." Lung.org, Accessed October 23, 2023, https://www.lung.org/lung-health-diseases/lung-disease-lookup/pertussis/learn-about-pertussis
PlushCare content is reviewed by MDs, PhDs, NPs, nutritionists, and other healthcare professionals. Learn more about our editorial standards and meet the medical team. The PlushCare site or any linked materials are not intended and should not be construed as medical advice, nor is the information a substitute for professional medical expertise or treatment.