Whooping cough

Key facts Whooping cough is a contagious illness. Bacteria Bordetella pertussis causes it. The cough can last for months and may have a ‘whoop’ sound. Whooping cough can cause serious health problems in babies. Vaccination is the best protection against whooping cough. Adults may need booster vaccines for full immunity. Pregnant women and adults who have contact with babies should get a booster vaccine. What is whooping cough? Whooping cough is a bacterial infection that spreads from one person to another. It causes severe bouts of coughing. The ‘whoop’ refers to the sound you may make if you take a quick breath