Treatment - Whooping cough in babies and children

If your child has whooping cough, they might:

• need a stay in hospital - if they're under 6 months old or very sick
• be given antibiotics to take at home - if the infection is diagnosed in the first 3 weeks

If they've had whooping cough for more than 3 weeks, they'll no longer be contagious and may not need any treatment.

Care for your child at home

If your child is at home with whooping cough, then:

• keep them at home until they've been on antibiotics for 5 days or until they feel well again
• make sure they rest and drink lots of fluids
• do not worry if they do not feel like eating much

Stop the infection spreading

You can help prevent whooping cough from spreading by:

• keeping your child away from crèche or school until 5 days after they start taking antibiotics
• letting the childcare or school know that your child has been diagnosed with whooping cough - they can let other parents know what to look out for
• covering their mouth and nose with a tissue when they cough or sneeze
• throwing away used tissues immediately
• washing your hands and their hands with soap and water
• avoiding having visitors at home
• making sure your family are up to date with all the recommended vaccinations

Whooping cough spreads when someone with the infection coughs or sneezes. It's most contagious during the first 3 weeks of the cough.

While they're still contagious, keep your child away from:

• other children
• pregnant women
• older people
• anyone with health problems

Other people at home might need to take antibiotics to stop them getting infected.

For example:

• babies under 6 months
• children who have not been vaccinated
• pregnant women
• health or childcare workers
• people with health or immune system problems

Talk to your GP or your local Department of Public Health if there is anyone at home who falls into these categories.