When to Seek Medical Care

When to call the doctor:

• if you suspect you or your child has whooping cough,
  
  
• if your child has been exposed to someone with whooping cough, regardless of whether the child has received immunization shots,
  
  
• if your child turns blue during a coughing spell,
  
  
• if your child has a fever that cannot be controlled with over-the-counter medication, or
  
  
• if your child is unable to keep solids and liquids down (vomits).

When to go to the hospital:

• If your child stops breathing, call 911 emergency services and begin CPR.



• Go to a hospital's emergency department if someone with whooping cough shows these symptoms:
  
  
  • inability to tolerate liquids (vomiting),
    
    
  • uncontrolled fever even with antifever medications,
    
    
  • signs of respiratory distress including rapid breathing and turning blue, or
    
    
  • signs of dehydration, including weight loss, dry mucous membranes, decreased urine output.

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