Whooping cough is a contagious disease characterized by severe bouts of coughing. It is caused by bacteria that travel in droplets projected into the air by an infected person when they cough or sneeze. The illness begins with cold-like symptoms, followed by persistent and uncontrollable coughing fits that can end in vomiting, pauses or difficulty breathing, or a loud whooping sound (whoop). The duration of the illness is approximately 1 to 10 weeks.
This disease can easily spread between family members or among children in the same school.
What to Do if Someone Has Symptoms of Whooping Cough?
If you have a persistent cough and uncontrollable coughing fits or followed by vomiting, pauses or difficulty breathing, or a cough that ends with a loud whooping sound (whoop), you might have whooping cough.
- Avoid contact with pregnant women in their third trimester.
- Avoid contact with babies under 1 year old.
- Call Info-Santé (811, option 1) or consult a doctor if needed.
Thanks to vaccination, most people will see their cough disappear on its own without complications.
What to Do if You Think You've Been in Contact with a Case?
- Parents of a baby under 12 months and pregnant women in their last month of pregnancy should contact:
- Abitibi-Témiscamingue residents: Info-Santé (811, option 1) for an evaluation.
- Rouyn-Noranda residents: Click here.
For other people who are not at risk of serious complications, there is no preventive treatment available.
Getting Vaccinated?
Vaccinating children under one year old and pregnant women between 26 and 32 weeks is the best way to protect babies from serious complications of this disease. For vaccination, make an appointment at a CLSC.
Actions to Prevent Whooping Cough and Respiratory Diseases: Actions to Limit the Transmission of Infectious Respiratory Diseases.
