Whooping cough timeline revealed – all the symptoms of the ‘100-day cough’ revealed and how to get a vaccine

CASES of whooping cough, otherwise known as the ‘100-day cough’, have spiked across the UK.

Here is exactly what you need to know about how the symptoms develop: from day one to day 100.

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The bug, known as pertussis, is a fast-spreading bacterial infection of the lungs and breathing tubes.

A fall in vaccination rates is leaving more children in hospital with the illness.

There were 552 confirmed new infections in England in January alone – compared to 858 for the whole of 2023, according to UK Health Security Agency (UKHSA) data.

Dr Simon Theobalds, a GP from Manchester, said: “Most viral infections [like whooping cough] last one to two weeks, but for some people it may be longer.

“There are various reasons for this, including the different levels of immunity against infections.”

Symptom stages

According to the US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, the notoriously long illness progresses through three stages.

The symptoms usually start five to 10 days after you catch the bug.

At first, symptoms are often similar to the common cold, but after about a week, patients will get coughing bouts that last for a few minutes and are worse at night.

Young babies may also make a distinctive “whoop” or have difficulty breathing.

The cough can bring up thick mucus, which can cause people to be sick.

Young children or babies might turn blue or grey because of difficulty breathing, while adults might become red in the face.

If you or your child’s lips, tongue, face, or skin suddenly turns blue or grey, call 999 or go to A&E immediately.

The condition spreads very easily and can sometimes cause serious problems, including rib fractures, pneumonia and seizures.

By week eight, the violent cough will usually have developed into something milder.

But for some, it can last several months, so it is often dubbed the ‘100-day cough’.

“If symptoms persist or worsen and you feel more unwell or have high fevers, we recommend a GP appointment to have a full assessment and rule out more serious conditions such as pneumonia or sepsis,” Dr Simon added.

Ask for an urgent appointment or call NHS 111 if:

• Your cough is very bad or gets worse very quickly
• You feel very unwell
• You have chest pain
• The side of your neck feels swollen or painful
• You find it difficult to breathe
• You cough up blood

If you do have whooping cough, antibiotics can help – but only if you start taking them within three weeks of your symptoms starting, the NHS says.

Get vaccinated

The best way to protect your family from it is by getting vaccinated.

But increasing cases in 2024 come at a time when there has been a steady decline in uptake of the jabs against whooping cough in pregnant women has fallen to a seven-year low.

Vaccine rates in children have also fallen – especially in parts of London where fewer than three in five kids are fully protected.

Parents have been urged to check that their child is protected, and the UKHSA is reminding mums-to-be to get the jab so their babies are protected at birth.

It is offered as part of the six-in-one jab when babies are eight, 12 and 16 weeks old.

The number of two-year-olds who completed their six-in-one vaccinations as of September 2023 is 92.9 per cent, compared with 96.3 per cent in March 2014.

Dr Gayatri Amirthalingam, UKHSA consultant epidemiologist, said: “Whooping cough can affect people of all ages but for very young infants, it can be particularly serious.

“However, vaccinating pregnant women is highly effective in protecting babies from birth until they can receive their own vaccines.

“Parents can also help protect their children by ensuring they receive their vaccines at the right time or catching up as soon as possible if they have missed any.

“If you’re unsure, please check your child’s red book or get in touch with your GP surgery.”

How to tackle whooping cough once you have it

There is usually no need to see a GP if you have a cough, according to the NHS.

But you should rest, drink plenty of fluids, and avoid contact with others.

Painkillers like paracetamol or ibuprofen can also be taken, as well as hot lemon and honey drinks and herbal medicine called pelargonium (if over the age of 12).

Pharmacists can also advise on the best cough syrups, medicines, sweets, and supplements.

You should see your GP if a cough has lasted longer than three weeks, you are losing weight for no reason, or you have a weakened immune system.