Multiple U.S. states have reported increased cases of whooping cough this year. On Nov. 3, the Texas Department of State Health Services published a release indicating a “significant increase” in whooping cough cases, with 3,500 reported from January through October 2025. According to the department, this is four times greater than the number recorded over the same period in 2024. On Nov. 5, the Mississippi State Department of Health reported that whooping cough cases have “dramatically increased” this year, with 130 cases so far. The West Virginia Bureau for Public Health also reported a notable rise, with 126 cases since Jan. 1 — the largest increase the state has seen since 2010. States including Florida and Louisiana have reported higher rates as well.
Whooping cough, also called pertussis, is an upper respiratory infection caused by the bacteria Bordetella Pertussis. The bacteria infect the airway by damaging cilia, the tiny structures that line the bronchi of the lungs. When damaged, the airway becomes swollen. The infection spreads through respiratory droplets, such as those produced while coughing or sneezing, and is considered highly contagious. Individuals can remain contagious for up to three weeks after symptoms begin.
The incubation period — the time between exposure and symptom onset — ranges from five to 21 days. Whooping cough has three stages. The first involves symptoms similar to a common cold: general malaise, fever, cough, sore throat, watery eyes and congestion. The second stage, which can last one to 10 weeks, is marked by severe coughing fits called paroxysms, vomiting and the characteristic ‘whoop’ sound when breathing in after a coughing spell (hence the name “whooping cough”). The third stage involves recovery, which can take up to six weeks.
Because symptoms can last for months, pertussis is also dubbed ‘the 100 day cough.’ In an interview with the American Medical Association, Dr. Alyssa Kuban of Texas Children’s Pediatrics Cypress shared that “one study showed in children 5 to 16 years old that the median duration of the cough was 112 days,” illustrating the length of the illness.
It is important to note that symptoms and recovery times vary between individuals. Despite the name, not all patients develop the ‘whoop’ sound. Infants and young children may struggle with breathing due to pertussis. In fact, the Center for Disease Control and Prevention reports that babies younger than one year old are at highest risk of infection, with one in three babies under 12 months with whooping cough requiring hospital care. Reported complications include pneumonia and apnea. Adults with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease or asthma are also at higher risk.
Treatment for pertussis typically includes antibiotics such as azithromycin and erythromycin. The CDC reports that antibiotics are most effective when taken early. Postexposure antimicrobial prophylaxis is also available for those who have been exposed, helping to prevent illness.
The CDC states that “the best way to prevent whooping cough is to get vaccinated.” There are two vaccines — DTaP and Tdap — that provide protection against whooping cough. They are both considered combination vaccines as they also protect against tetanus and diphtheria. DTaP is recommended for children ages 2 months to 6 years, whereas Tdap is recommended for older children, adolescents and adults.
Just before and during the COVID-19 pandemic, whooping cough cases were low in the U.S., likely due to increased masking alongside other protective measures. According to the CDC, cases have generally decreased since a spike in November 2024, though they “remain elevated in 2025 compared to immediately before the pandemic.”
