Whooping cough Q&As
Published by Bupa's health information team, April 2009.
Answers to questions about whooping cough.
This section contains answers to common questions about this topic. Questions have been suggested by health professionals, website feedback and requests via email.
- My child has whooping cough. Can he go to school?
- Why does my daughter have to have three doses of vaccine? Why can't she be given it all in one go?
- Does the vaccine last forever?
My child has whooping cough. Can he go to school?
You should keep your child home from school if he/she has whooping cough.
Explanation
Whooping cough is very contagious. The infection can easily spread between children when tiny droplets containing the bacteria are released into the air when an infected child coughs or sneezes.
If you suspect that your child has whooping cough, you should keep them home from school or nursery and take them to see a doctor. If your child has whooping cough, he/she will be given antibiotics and should be kept at home for at least five days after starting the course. You should keep infected children away from their siblings, particularly if they are younger or haven't been immunised.
Adults can also get whooping cough but symptoms tend to be much milder. Even if you feel well enough to go back to work, you must stay at home for five days after starting antibiotics if you work with children who are under five years old, the elderly, or people who have a chronic disease or weakened immune system.
Further information
- Health Protection Agency (HPA)
www.hpa.org.uk
Sources
- Pertussis (Whooping cough). Guidelines on the management of cases and household contacts. Health Protection Agency, Dec 2004. www.hpa.org.uk
Why does my daughter have to have three doses of vaccine? Why can't she be given it all in one go?
The pertussis (whooping cough) vaccination is given to your child over three doses because this produces the strongest immune response.
Explanation
Your child will be given a dose of the vaccine when he/she is two, three and four months old. With every dose of vaccine, your child's immune response to the bacteria Bortedella pertussis (which causes whooping cough) is boosted, making your child's immunity to whooping cough stronger.
Further information
- Health Protection Agency (HPA)
www.hpa.org.uk - Immunisation (Department of Health)
www.immunisation.nhs.uk
Sources
- Pertussis. Immunisation (Department of Health). www.immunisation.nhs.uk, accessed 14 November 2007
Does the vaccine last forever?
No, the vaccine against whooping cough wears off over time. Older children, adolescents and adults can get whooping cough but the infection usually causes milder symptoms than in younger infants.
Explanation
Immunity wears off after a while, so your child will be given a pre-school booster when he or she is between three and five years old.
The vaccination doesn't give you life-long protection, so you may get the infection as an adolescent or adult. However, symptoms in adults are typically milder than those in infants.
Further information
- Health Protection Agency (HPA)
www.hpa.org.uk - Immunisation (Department of Health)
www.immunisation.nhs.uk
Sources
- Whooping cough (Pertussis). Health Protection Agency. www.hpa.org.uk, accessed 22 June 2007
- Kasper et al. Principles of internal medicine. 16th edition. New York: McGraw-Hill, 2005
This information was published by Bupa's health information team and is based on reputable sources of medical evidence. It has been peer reviewed by Bupa doctors. The content is intended for general information only and does not replace the need for personal advice from a qualified health professional.
Publication date: April 2009
Whooping cough factsheet
Visit the whooping cough health factsheet for more information.
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