The attacks tend to be more frequent at night, with an average of 15 attacks in a 24-hour period. Infants, in particular, may appear to stop breathing and perhaps turn blue during the coughing spasms. Vomiting is also common during this stage as well. The third stage of the illness is the convalescent stage. Complications Complications are most commonly seen in children younger than 1 year, with an increased risk of severe pertussis in premature infants.
Bacterial pneumonia is the most common complication of whooping cough.
It is also the most common cause of pertussis-related deaths. HOME CARE Section 5 of 13 Because younger children are at higher risk to develop a severe case of whooping cough, most are admitted to the hospital. For children and adults who do not require hospitalization, here are some tips to manage the disease at home after a doctor has diagnosed it as whooping cough. During this time, everyone who comes into contact with the sick person should wear surgical masks to cover their faces. Practice good handwashing skills.