Whooping Cough: What You Need to Know

New cases of pertussis (whooping cough) continue to be seen in San Diego County and around the state. Learn what you need to know to protect yourself and your children.

Getting Vaccinated
According to the Centers of Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), children need five shots of the pertussis vaccine (DTaP) — the first three given at 2, 4 and 6 months of age; the fourth between 15 and 18 months of age; and the fifth when the child enters school (usually around 4 to 6 years old). Preteens (ages 11 or 12) are usually offered another Tdap vaccine (the booster immunization of DTaP), and adults should get the vaccine every 10 years. Tdap is a combination vaccine that protects against diphtheria, tetanus and pertussis.

San Diego County is offering free vaccines for people age 65 and older. Visit the San Diego Immunization Branch website to find details on vaccination clinics.

Patients under age 65 should call their doctor to schedule a nurse appointment to see if a vaccine is necessary or to learn when the last Tdap vaccine was received.

Signs and Symptoms
Signs of whooping cough include: 

  • Initial signs include mild respiratory symptoms, such as runny nose and mild nonproductive cough
  • The cough can often worsen over one to two weeks with episodes of prolonged coughing, which is sometimes followed by a high-pitched whooping sound 
  • The cough may bring up mucous and be followed by vomiting.  

If you previously had the pertussis vaccine, that does not rule out the possibility of acquiring pertussis. If you develop any symptoms, even if mild, you should contact your primary care physician. 

Visiting Our Facilities
An outbreak of whooping cough is occurring in San Diego County and throughout California. Whooping cough is very contagious and can infect adults — it is not just a childhood disease.

Please help us keep our patients, other visitors and health care personnel safe by following these recommendations:

  • Make sure that you and your family are immunized for whooping cough with the pertussis vaccine
  • Please do not visit at this time if you have a cough
  • See your health care provider if you are experiencing a persistent cough or if you are unsure of your vaccination status

Protecting Your Baby
Whooping cough causes coughing fits so bad that it is hard to breathe and babies are most at risk for pertussis. Each year in California, hundreds of babies are hospitalized for whooping cough and some die.

Whooping cough shots safely prevent the disease. But new babies are too young to get the shot. To protect your baby, make sure that these people are up-to-date on their whooping cough shots: 

  • Anyone who lives with your baby
  • Anyone who takes care of your baby

Protection from the disease and the shots wears off. Make sure anyone 10 years of age or older gets a booster shot, called Tdap, at least two weeks before they have contact with your baby.

Protecting Yourself
Babies most often catch whooping cough from a family member. By protecting yourself from the disease, you also protect your baby. Ask your doctor for a Tdap shot. You can get it: 

  • Before you are pregnant
  • During pregnancy
  • After giving birth  

If you have not gotten your Tdap shot yet, get one before leaving the hospital with your new baby. It's safe to get a Tdap shot while breastfeeding.

Call your doctor or your baby's doctor if: 

  • You or your baby is sick; early signs of whooping cough are mild and like a cold but can get worse fast
  • You or your baby is around someone with whooping cough or a bad cough

For More Information
To learn more about Sharp's services or to find a Sharp-affiliated physician, search for San Diego doctors or call 1-800-82-SHARP (1-800-827-4277), Monday through Friday, 8 am to 6 pm. To find general information about whooping cough, visit Whooping Cough (Pertussis) in Adult Health or read the Infectious Diseases News archive.