Signs & Symptoms of Whooping cough (Pertussis):

Whooping cough can cause prolonged symptoms. The child usually has 1 to 2 weeks of common cold symptoms, followed by approximately 2 to 4 weeks of severe coughing. The first symptoms of whooping cough are similar to those of a common cold:

• Loss of Appetite

• Low-grade fever

• Mild Cough

• Mild Fever - or no fever at all in early stages

• Night Cough

• Runny Nose

• Sneezing

• Sore Throat

• Tears

• Tiredness

After about 1 to 2 weeks, the dry, irritating cough evolves into coughing spells. During a coughing spell, which can last for more than a minute, the child may turn red or purple. At the end of a spell, the child may make a characteristic whooping sound when breathing in or may vomit. Between spells, the child usually feels well.