Diagnosis of Whooping cough (Pertussis):

The initial diagnosis is usually based on the symptoms, Complete medical history and physical examination. In very young infants, the symptoms may be caused by pneumonia instead.

• The proper diagnosis of whooping cough is often confirmed with a culture taken from the nose. The health care provider may take a sample of mucus from the nose nasal secretions and send it to a lab, which tests it for whooping cough.

• Some patients may have a complete blood count that shows large numbers of lymphocytes.

• A test usually involves passing a swab on a wire through a nostril to the back of the throat and sending it to a medical lab to culture the material. This may take 5 to 7 days.  If Bordetella pertussis grows this is usually taken as proof that it is whooping cough.

• Antibody tests are done by some laboratories on blood samples taken after several weeks of illness. By looking at IgG and IgA antibodies to fimbria, pertussis toxin and filamentous haemagglutinin, it is possible to say whether it is likely the patient has had whooping cough.