Pertussis, often called whooping cough, is an illness caused by a bacterial infection. While anyone can get it, babies are especially at risk because their airways are so small. Sadly, the Spokane community lost a young infant to pertussis just last year, reminding us how important prevention can be. Across the country, cases are on the rise in 2025, making awareness and protection more important than ever.
Pertussis usually begins like a simple cold—runny nose, mild cough, maybe a little fever. But after a week or two, the cough can worsen into long fits that sometimes end with a big gasp, or “whoop.” In little ones, these coughing spells can be scary, and even cause them to turn blue from lack of oxygen. Recovery can take weeks or even months, which is why pertussis is sometimes called the “100-day cough.”
The good news is that we have safe, effective vaccines to protect our families. The DTaP vaccine is given to infants and young children, while the Tdap vaccine is recommended for older kids, adults, and pregnant women to help shield both mom and newborns. Because protection fades over time, booster shots are important.
Pertussis spreads easily, so if your child has a lingering cough—or may have been around someone with whooping cough—reach out to your healthcare provider. Together, we can keep our families safe and healthy.
