Whooping Cough in Babies

Whooping cough (also known as pertussis) is a respiratory infection that can cause severe coughing or trouble breathing. When babies get it, they are often put in the hospital. And most of them get whooping cough from someone at home, such as a parent, sibling, or grandparent, or from childcare providers.

Whooping cough can be prevented by receiving a vaccination, which the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention strongly recommends.

Babies and children get a series of five DTaP shots to protect them against diphtheria, tetanus and whopping cough. Babies get the first dose at two months, so until they are fully immunized, you need to keep them safe.

Insist that everyone who comes in close contact with your newborn be up to date with whooping cough vaccination. All teens and adults who have not received the Tdap vaccine yet should get one dose of this vaccine. Tell grandparents they need to get this vaccine, too.