Treatment for whooping cough

Treatment for whooping cough depends on your ageand how long you've had the infection.

  • Children under six months who are very ill and people with severe symptoms will usually be admitted to hospital for treatment.
  • Peoplediagnosed during the first three weeks of infection may be prescribed antibiotics to take at home these will help stop the infection spreading to others, but may not reducethe symptoms.
  • People who've had whooping cough for more than three weeks won't normally need any specific treatment, as they're no longer contagious and antibiotics are unlikelytohelp.

While you're recovering at home, it can help to get plenty of rest, drink lots of fluids, clean away mucus and sick fromyour or your child's mouth, and take painkillers such as paracetamol or ibuprofen for a fever.

Avoid using cough medicines, as they're not suitable for young children and are unlikely to be of much help.

Content supplied by the NHS Website

Medically Reviewed by a doctor on 21 Dec 2018