The child was up to date on immunizations according to age.
Whooping cough is a bacterial disease that can affect persons of all ages.
Many persons have only a persistent cough from the infection, but young children and non-immunized persons can have severe symptoms with serious consequences. Treatment with certain antibiotics can prevent persons with pertussis from spreading it to others. Antibiotic treatment also prevents individuals who come into close contact with persons who have pertussis from contracting the disease. Although infants with pertussis-related complications may require hospitalization, most patients will develop only a milder illness. Pertussis can begin with a runny nose, mild sore throat and other symptoms suggestive of a common cold.