
In June 2024, the Kentucky Department for Public Health (KDPH) reported an increase of pertussis, also known as “whooping cough,” in the commonwealth. Whooping cough cases have been increasing rapidly in the U.S. in 2024 and 2025 to match the levels seen before the COVID-19 pandemic.
The bacteria Bordatella pertussis causes whooping cough. The bacteria invade the respiratory epithelium of the lung, which lines much of the respiratory tract and aims to protect and clear the airways. When the bacteria invade the respiratory epithelium, it gives you a sensation of wanting to cough.
Symptoms
Symptoms typically begin one to two weeks after exposure to the bacteria. There are generally three phases of illness.
In the early phase, patients may have nonspecific symptoms such as:
- Mild cough
- Low-grade fever
- General feeling of being sick
- Congested, runny nose
- Red, watery eyes
The second phase begins after about one week of illness. In this phase, patients may experience:
- Severe coughing occurring in rapid succession during one exhalation (paroxysms)
- Inspiratory “whoop” following a coughing spell
- Vomiting or fainting after coughing spells
- Chest and back soreness from coughing
The final phase usually lasts a few weeks. It is characterized by:
- Less severe coughing
- Reduced frequency of cough
Risk
School-aged children are primarily at risk of getting whooping cough, and they may be more likely to get more severe forms of the disease if they have not been vaccinated. However, adults can get the disease as well.
Vaccination
Whooping cough is a disease many people are vaccinated against.
Most individuals from newborn to 6 years old receive the diphtheria, tetanus and acellular pertussis (DTaP) vaccine. Individuals 7 years and older receive the tetanus, diphtheria and acellular pertussis (Tdap) vaccine.
The DTaP and Tdap vaccines are essentially the same, except they use different doses. The DTaP provides high levels of protection against diphtheria, tetanus, and pertussis. The Tdap vaccine provides a full-strength dose of tetanus vaccine but smaller doses of diphtheria and pertussis to maintain immunity.
According to KDPH, immunity from vaccination or natural infection wanes over time, so infections can occur in people who are fully vaccinated. However, the vaccine lessens the severity of the disease, making hospitalization rare.
Diagnosis and Treatment
If you think you may have whooping cough, see your primary care provider. Your primary care provider will be able to diagnose your illness and determine its severity. Your provider may also ask you about your vaccination status.
Whooping cough is treated with antibiotics, particularly azithromycin or another macrolide antibiotic. Over-the-counter cough medications such as dextromethorphan may help reduce cough symptoms as well.
Spread
Whooping cough can spread very quickly. The disease is highly contagious.
Once antibiotic treatment starts, the period of contagiousness is short-lived. The typical length of time someone receiving treatment for whooping cough is contagious is three to five days. People who have the disease but do not receive treatment can continue to be contagious.
If someone in your household has been recently diagnosed with whooping cough, it is recommended that you receive antibiotic treatment as well, even if you are not showing symptoms of the disease. Also, do not share cups or dishes with household members who are infected and use a separate bathroom if possible.
You can use high-quality disinfectant products to kill the Bordetella pertussis bacteria on surfaces. This can particularly be beneficial if you must share a space with someone with whooping cough.
If you have whooping cough, do not go to work or school. Stay home and recover.
UofL Health Can Help
UofL Physicians – Primary Care is here for you if you may have whooping cough, if you need antibiotic treatment due to someone in your household having the disease or if you need to get vaccinated. If you need a primary care provider, you can call 502-588-4343.
Also, the UofL Physicians – Vaccine & International Travel Center provides Tdap vaccines. To make an appointment or for more information, call 502-852-6464.