The risks of serious illness or death from this illness are very small if you follow your doctor's suggestions. Breathing problems and coughing will become worse if the child is crying and afraid. Do not let anyone smoke near the child. Smoke can make the breathing problems and coughing worse. Your child may need to go into the hospital, where the cough can be treated and breathing can be monitored.
Whooping cough is no longer common because most children get shots to prevent it.
Your child has a high temperature. The child is tugging his or her ears or has ear pain. Vomiting lasts more than a few hours. The child is not drinking liquids. The cough is getting worse.