Skip to content
WebMD: Better information. Better health.
 
Other search tools:Symptoms|Doctors|Medical Dictionary

Children's Health

Whooping Cough Directory

Whooping cough is a very contagious respiratory infection disease caused by Bordetella pertussis bacteria. The disease usually starts with cold symptoms but then leads to severe coughing spells, which can last for many weeks or even months. It is called whooping cough because most people makes a "whoop" sound when trying to take a breath after coughing; this is due to all the air being forced out of the lungs. Whooping cough can lead to serious illness and death. It is especially severe among young babies. A vaccine can help prevent whooping cough. Follow the links below to find WebMD's comprehensive coverage about how whooping cough is contracted, what it looks like, how to treat it, and much more.

Medical Reference

Features

Thumbnail: Whooping Cough: Treatment and Prevention

WebMD asks CDC expert Tom Clark about whooping cough and its causes, symptoms, treatment, and prevention.

Read Full Article

Video

Slideshows & Images

Quizzes

News Archive

Today in Children’s Health

allergy cream on child
Slideshow
two high school cheerleaders whispering behind gir
Article
 
How Much Sleep Do Children Need
Article
mosquito bite
Q&A
 

worried kid
fitArticle
six year old girl
Article
 
Child with red rash on cheeks
Slideshow
mother and daughter talking
Tool
 

babyapp
New
Child with adhd
Slideshow
 
rl with friends
fitSlideshow
Syringes and graph illustration
Tool