Can't Stop Gasping? Why Whooping Cough Strains the Lungs & Medically Approved Steps to Take

If you or someone you love can't stop coughing and is left gasping for air, it can be frightening. One possible cause is whooping cough, also known as pertussis. While many people think of whooping cough as a childhood illness from the past, it still affects children, teens, and adults today.

Understanding why whooping cough causes intense coughing fits—and knowing what to do next—can help you act quickly and confidently.

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What Is Whooping Cough?

Whooping cough is a highly contagious respiratory infection caused by the bacterium Bordetella pertussis. It spreads through droplets in the air when an infected person coughs or sneezes.

The illness is known for its severe coughing fits, which may end with a high-pitched "whoop" sound as the person gasps for air. Not everyone makes the classic whooping sound—especially adults—but the repeated, uncontrollable coughing is a key feature.

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Why Whooping Cough Makes You Gasp for Air

Whooping cough affects the lining of the airways in several important ways:

1. It Irritates and Inflames the Airways

The bacteria attach to the tiny hair-like structures (cilia) that line your breathing passages. These cilia normally help clear mucus and debris. When they're damaged:

• Mucus builds up
• Airways become inflamed
• The body triggers intense coughing to try to clear the blockage

2. It Causes Violent Coughing Fits

Unlike a typical cough, whooping cough causes repeated, rapid coughs in a row—sometimes 10 or more without a breath in between. This leads to:

• Air being forced out of the lungs
• Difficulty inhaling afterward
• The classic "whoop" sound as air rushes back in

That desperate inhale is what feels like gasping.

3. It Can Reduce Oxygen Levels (Temporarily)

During a coughing fit:

• Breathing briefly pauses
• Oxygen intake drops
• The face may turn red or bluish (especially in infants)

While many healthy older children and adults recover between episodes, babies and vulnerable individuals are at higher risk for complications.

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Who Is Most at Risk?

Anyone can get whooping cough, but some groups are more likely to experience severe symptoms:

• Infants under 1 year old (highest risk)
• Pregnant women
• Older adults
• People with asthma or chronic lung disease
• Individuals with weakened immune systems
• People who are unvaccinated or overdue for booster shots

Vaccination greatly reduces the risk of severe illness, but immunity can fade over time. That's why booster shots are recommended.

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What Are the Stages of Whooping Cough?

Whooping cough typically develops in three stages:

1. Early Stage (1–2 weeks)

Symptoms resemble a common cold:

• Runny nose
• Mild cough
• Low-grade fever
• Sneezing

At this stage, it's highly contagious but hard to recognize.

2. Severe Coughing Stage (1–6 weeks or longer)

This is when:

• Intense coughing fits begin
• Gasping or "whooping" may occur
• Vomiting after coughing can happen
• Exhaustion is common

Coughing can be triggered by:

• Laughing
• Crying
• Eating
• Cold air

3. Recovery Stage (Weeks to months)

The cough gradually improves but can linger for weeks. This is why whooping cough is sometimes called the "100-day cough."

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When Gasping Becomes an Emergency

While many cases are treatable, certain signs require urgent medical care:

• Trouble breathing between coughing fits
• Blue or gray lips or face
• Pauses in breathing (especially in infants)
• Signs of dehydration
• Chest pain
• Confusion or extreme fatigue
• A baby who is not feeding well

If any of these happen, seek emergency care immediately.

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Medically Approved Steps to Take

If you suspect whooping cough, here's what medical experts recommend:

1. Speak to a Doctor Promptly

Early treatment matters. Doctors may:

• Perform a nasal swab test
• Order blood tests
• Prescribe antibiotics (usually azithromycin or similar medications)

Antibiotics work best when started early. They may not immediately stop coughing but can:

• Reduce contagiousness
• Shorten the course of illness
• Lower the risk of spreading it to others

If symptoms are severe or potentially life threatening, speak to a doctor immediately.

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2. Consider a Symptom Check

If you're experiencing persistent coughing fits and aren't sure whether it could be whooping cough, try using a free AI-powered symptom checker for Pertussis to quickly assess your symptoms and understand when to seek medical care.

A symptom checker does not replace medical care—but it can guide your next step.

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3. Protect Others

Because whooping cough spreads easily:

• Stay home from work or school until cleared by a doctor
• Avoid close contact with infants and pregnant women
• Cover coughs and wash hands frequently
• Follow antibiotic instructions fully

Most people are no longer contagious after 5 days of appropriate antibiotics.

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4. Support Your Breathing at Home

There is no quick cure for the cough itself, but these steps can help:

• Use a humidifier to soothe irritated airways
• Drink plenty of fluids to prevent dehydration
• Eat small, frequent meals to reduce vomiting
• Rest as much as possible
• Avoid smoke and irritants

Over-the-counter cough medicines generally do not work well for whooping cough and are not recommended for young children unless advised by a doctor.

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5. Monitor for Complications

Complications can include:

• Pneumonia
• Rib fractures from severe coughing
• Weight loss
• Dehydration
• Seizures (rare)
• Brain injury (rare, usually from oxygen deprivation in infants)

Adults often recover fully, but infants are at much higher risk. If a baby has suspected whooping cough, urgent evaluation is critical.

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How Vaccination Helps

Vaccination is the most effective way to prevent severe whooping cough.

• Children receive the DTaP vaccine series.
• Teens and adults should get the Tdap booster.
• Pregnant women are advised to receive Tdap during each pregnancy to protect newborns.

Even if vaccinated, you can still get whooping cough—but symptoms are typically milder and less dangerous.

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Why the Cough Lasts So Long

One of the most frustrating parts of whooping cough is how long it lingers.

The bacteria damage airway linings. Even after the infection clears:

• Airways remain sensitive
• Inflammation persists
• Cough reflex stays overactive

This explains why coughing may continue for weeks—even after antibiotics.

The good news: gradual improvement is expected.

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Key Takeaways

If you can't stop gasping during coughing fits, whooping cough may be a cause—especially if:

• The cough comes in violent bursts
• You hear a whooping sound
• Vomiting follows coughing
• The cough lasts more than two weeks

Act early. Prompt medical care reduces spread and may shorten illness.

You may consider completing a free symptom check for Pertussis to assess your situation, but always follow up with a healthcare professional.

And most importantly:

If symptoms are severe, breathing is difficult, or a baby is involved, speak to a doctor immediately or seek emergency care. Whooping cough can be serious—especially in infants—but with timely treatment and monitoring, most people recover fully.

Taking the right steps now protects not only your lungs—but the people around you.