It’s a rise that the United States hasn’t seen in decades. Pertussis, more commonly known as whooping cough, is under the watchful eye of health officials following a rise in cases. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), Tennessee reported 226 cases of whooping cough in 2024, compared to 64 cases in 2023. In 2024, the number of cases in the U.S. increased more than sixfold compared to the same period last year, reaching levels not seen since 2014. This is a concern for children, as this infection is notorious for its severe, painful coughing fits that can last for weeks or even months. With this increase comes the responsibility for parents to understand the illness, its stages, vaccination options, and preventive measures.
What Is Whooping Cough?
Whooping cough typically begins with mild, cold-like symptoms such as:
- Runny nose
- Sneezing
- Low-grade fever
- Mild cough
Within a week or two, these symptoms become more severe, resulting in children experiencing intense coughing fits. The cough is often so severe that it causes vomiting, breaks ribs, or produces a distinctive “whooping” sound. This stage can last for weeks. Even after recovery begins, residual coughing may persist for months.
This infectious disease is highly contagious, spreading through airborne droplets when an infected person coughs or sneezes. People can transmit the bacteria for weeks after symptoms develop, even if they feel well enough to resume daily activities.
Recent Trends in Whooping Cough
Cases of whooping cough dropped significantly during the COVID-19 pandemic, likely due to masking, reduced social interactions, and other mitigation measures. However, 2024, as noted above, has seen a sharp resurgence. This rise coincides with a recent decline in vaccination rates. The CDC reports that routine childhood vaccination among kindergarteners fell below 93% in the 2023–24 school year, down from 95% in 2019–20, with exemptions reaching a record 3.3%.
The Best Line of Defense
Vaccination remains the most effective way to protect children against whooping cough. The vaccines used have been proven to significantly reduce the risk of severe illness, hospitalization, and death. Studies have shown that those who are vaccinated are less likely to contract whooping cough, and if they do, the symptoms are generally milder and less likely to result in complications. When getting the vaccine, the CDC recommends:
- DTaP vaccine for children at 2, 4, and 6 months, with booster doses at 15–18 months and 4–6 years.
- Tdap vaccine for adolescents and adults as a booster, typically at age 11–12 and during every pregnancy to protect newborns.
Diagnosis and Treatment
It’s important for parents to understand the signs of whooping cough because doctors can prescribe antibiotics during the initial weeks before severe coughing begins. Once the illness progresses, treatment focuses on managing symptoms with rest, fluids, and comfort care. Parents should monitor their children closely and seek medical attention if they observe prolonged coughing fits, vomiting after coughing, or signs of respiratory distress.
Preventing Whooping Cough and Other Respiratory Illnesses in 2025
Whooping cough, once a leading cause of childhood mortality in the early 20th century, has been largely controlled through vaccination. However, recent numbers showing an increase in cases highlight the need for families to maintain high vaccination rates. The winter months can be brutal for respiratory illnesses, including the flu, RSV, the common cold, and COVID-19. All of these can impact children but can be mitigated with the help of vaccinations.
An important step parents can take is to reduce the spread and impact of this challenging illness. The best way to do this is by maintaining a vaccine schedule and talking to your doctor about what other steps you can take to ensure your family stays happy and healthy through these months.
Sources:
CDC: Nationally Notifiable Infectious Diseases and Conditions, United States: Weekly Tables
CDC: Whooping Cough Vaccination
CDC: Vaccination Coverage and Exemptions among Kindergartners
