FAQ
What are the symptoms and complications of whooping cough?
Page last updated 11 December 2018
If you are exposed to whooping cough – and your immunity is low – you would typically develop symptoms within 5 to 10 days.
Whooping cough often begins like a cold. In a typical case, your symptoms might include:
- a blocked or runny nose
- sneezing
- mild fever
- a cough
Complications of whooping cough are usually less serious in adults, especially if you have been vaccinated. In one study, the most common complications reported were:
- weight loss in 1 out of 3 adults
- loss of bladder control in 1 out of 4 adults
- passing out in 3 out of 50 adults
- rib fracture from severe coughing in 1 out of 25 adults
Sources & Citations
- Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Available at: https://www.cdc.gov/pertussis/about/faqs.html
- Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Available at: https://www.cdc.gov/pertussis/about/signs-symptoms.html
- Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Available at: https://www.cdc.gov/pertussis/clinical/complications.html