Whooping Cough Still Circulating This Summer: Keep Kids Home

ByBrian “Weence” Bateman

Whooping cough (pertussis) is still circulating this summer, even at lower levels than earlier peaks. Here’s when to keep a child home, when to call the doctor, and urgent warning signs—especially for infants and pregnant household members.

Whooping cough (pertussis) is still circulating this summer in the United States, even though levels are lower than earlier post-pandemic peaks. For families and schools, the practical question is usually the same: My child’s cough is getting worse—should they stay home, and when should we call the doctor?

Why pertussis deserves extra attention

Pertussis can start like a “regular cold”—runny nose, mild cough, or a low fever. Over time, it may progress to repeated coughing fits that can be hard to interrupt. CDC also notes that people can spread pertussis early, when symptoms may still look like other respiratory illnesses.

First: general rules for any sick child (respiratory illness guidance)

If your child has a respiratory illness, CDC advises keeping them home while they are sick—typically until:

  • They are fever-free for at least 24 hours (without fever-reducing medicine), and
  • Their symptoms are improving for at least 24 hours.

After that, CDC recommends using extra precautions for 5 more days (for example, reducing close contact when possible and following your school/daycare’s illness policies).

Now the pertussis-specific rule for school or work

For suspected or confirmed pertussis, CDC’s infection-control guidance for symptomatic people uses a strict exclusion timeline to reduce spread:

  • Exclude symptomatic people for 21 days from the onset of cough, or
  • Exclude until 5 days after starting effective antibiotics.

If you’re not sure whether the cough fits pertussis, it’s reasonable to treat it seriously as you seek advice—because early pertussis can look like a common cold.

When to call the doctor (especially if the cough is worsening)

Call your child’s clinician promptly if the cough is:

  • Getting worse or turning into repeated coughing fits
  • Persistent and not improving like a typical cold
  • More concerning if there’s a known or suspected exposure

Ask whether pertussis evaluation is appropriate. This is especially important if there’s an infant in the household or if someone who is pregnant may be exposed, since clinicians may recommend additional prevention steps for higher-risk people.

Go urgently/emergency now for warning signs

Seek urgent care right away (or emergency care, based on severity) if a baby or child has:

  • Breathing pauses during coughing spells (especially important in infants)
  • Trouble breathing or signs of breathing difficulty
  • Blue or gray lips/skin
  • Poor feeding, dehydration, or unusual sleepiness

These can be signs of serious illness and need immediate assessment.

How to protect infants and pregnant household members

Pertussis can be most severe in infants. For pregnant household members, protection of the newborn starts during pregnancy:

  • Tdap during each pregnancy: SMFM emphasizes getting Tdap in each pregnancy to help protect the baby after birth.

Also, if a household exposure happens, CDC notes that clinicians and public health may recommend preventive antibiotics (post-exposure prophylaxis) for certain people—particularly when the household includes someone at higher risk. If you suspect exposure, ask the child’s clinician (and/or your local health department) about what’s recommended for specific household contacts.

Bottom line for caregivers and schools

Even with lower overall summer activity than earlier peaks, pertussis is still circulating. Use CDC’s approach:

  • Keep kids home while they’re sick using CDC’s general respiratory-virus guidance, and for suspected pertussis follow the 21-days-from-cough-onset or 5-days-after-effective-antibiotics exclusion rule.
  • Call promptly if the cough is severe, worsening, or in repeated fits.
  • Act fast for urgent warning signs—especially for infants.

Key sources

Editorial note: Weence articles are researched from cited public-health, medical, regulatory, journal, and reputable news sources and may be drafted with AI assistance. They are checked for source support, clarity, and safety guardrails before publication.

This article is for general informational purposes only and is not medical advice. Research findings can be early or incomplete, and health guidance can change. Always talk with a qualified healthcare professional about personal symptoms, diagnosis, medications, vaccines, screenings, or treatment decisions. If you think you may have a medical emergency, call emergency services right away.

Related

Brian “Weence” Bateman is a health and medical writer who covers public health updates, healthcare policy, and medical developments affecting communities across the United States. He works closely with dentists and healthcare providers and focuses on making complex medical information clear, accurate, and useful for everyday readers.