Whooping cough timeline of symptoms revealed after baby whose mum was not vaccinated dies

WHOOPING cough is a serious bacterial infection affecting the lungs, which can be particularly dangerous to babies.

Thirty-three babies have died of the illness in the UK between 2013 and June 2025, according to the UK Health Security Agency (UKHSA).

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A baby whose mum wasn’t vaccinated against whooping cough died this year[/caption]

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Whooping cough is a bacterial infection that affects the lungs[/caption]

One of these deaths was reported at the end of last month, in a baby whose mum wasn’t vaccinated against whooping cough.

The tot was the first baby to die of whooping cough in the UK this year, UKHSA said.

Vaccination for pertussis – as the illness is also known – is given to babies as part of the ‘six-in-one’ jab at eight, 12, and 16 weeks.

But mums-to-be can also get vaccinated against whooping cough, to pass on protection to their babies until they can receive the jab.

The programme was first rolled out in October 2012.

Of the 33 babies who died of whooping cough between 2013 and 2025, 27 were born to mums who weren’t vaccinated while they were pregnant, according to UKHSA.

The agency’s Dr Gayatri Amirthalingam said: “Sadly, we are again reminded how severe whooping cough can be for very young babies.

“Vaccination is the best defence.

“It is vital pregnant women and infants receive their vaccines at the right time, ideally between 20 and 32 weeks.

“This passes protection to their baby in the womb so that they are protected from birth.”

According to the latest data there were 502 cases of whooping cough reported between January and June this year.

Of these, eight included infants aged under three months old, who are most at risk of complications.

This is a big drop from the 2,793 cases reported in the same period last year.

Between January and April 2024 there were 181 confirmed pertussis cases in infants aged under three months.

Eleven children in England died after an outbreak of whooping cough last year.

Experts say that whooping cough tends to surge every five years or so.

UKHSA last year warned: “The current increase is coming at a time when there has been a steady decline in uptake of the vaccine in pregnant women and in children.”

The health watchdog issued similar warnings over falling vaccine rates among pregnant women for whooping cough this year.

“Although for the first few years of the programme, vaccine coverage was around 70 per cent, uptake has fallen below this level year on year since 2020.”

The vaccine has been shown to offer 91 per cent protection from whooping cough to babies aged less than three months, and 93 per cent protection for babies younger than eight weeks.

Whooping cough gets its name from the characteristic sound people make when infected – a gasping “whoop” as they suck in air between coughs.

It is otherwise known as the ‘100-day cough’, as it can cling on for several weeks or months.

Here we reveal how symptoms of whooping cough develop from day one to day 100.

Symptom stages

The bug, known as pertussis, is a fast-spreading bacterial infection of the lungs and breathing tubes.

Dr Simon Theobalds, a GP from Manchester, said: “Most viral infections [like whooping cough] last one to two weeks, but for some people it may be longer.

“There are various reasons for this, including the different levels of immunity against infections.”

According to the US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, the notoriously long illness progresses through three stages.

The symptoms usually start five to 10 days after you catch the bug.

At first, symptoms are often similar to the common cold, but after about a week, patients will get coughing bouts that last for a few minutes and are worse at night.

Young babies may also make a distinctive “whoop” or have difficulty breathing.

The cough can bring up thick mucus, which can cause people to be sick.

Young children or babies might turn blue or grey because of difficulty breathing, while adults might become red in the face.

If you or your child’s lips, tongue, face, or skin suddenly turns blue or grey, call 999 or go to A&E immediately.

The condition spreads very easily and can sometimes cause serious problems, including rib fractures, pneumonia and seizures.

By week eight, the violent cough will usually have developed into something milder.

But for some, it can last several months, so it is often dubbed the ‘100-day cough’.

“If symptoms persist or worsen and you feel more unwell or have high fevers, we recommend a GP appointment to have a full assessment and rule out more serious conditions such as pneumonia or sepsis,” Dr Simon added.

Ask for an urgent appointment or call NHS 111 if:

• Your cough is very bad or gets worse very quickly
• You feel very unwell
• You have chest pain
• The side of your neck feels swollen or painful
• You find it difficult to breathe
• You cough up blood

If you do have whooping cough, antibiotics can help – but only if you start taking them within three weeks of your symptoms starting, the NHS says.

Get vaccinated

The best way to protect your family from it is by getting vaccinated.

It was reported last year that uptake among pregnant women had fallen to a seven-year low.

It dropped from over 70 per cent in September 2017 to around 58 per cent in September 2023.

However, vaccination rates rose slightly for the 2024 to 2025 financial year to 65 per cent, according to UKHSA.

Parents have been urged to check that their child is protected, and the UKHSA is reminding mums-to-be to get the jab so their babies are protected at birth.

It is offered as part of the six-in-one jab when babies are eight, 12 and 16 weeks old.

Dr Gayatri Amirthalingam, UKHSA consultant epidemiologist, previously said: “Whooping cough can affect people of all ages but for very young infants, it can be particularly serious.

“However, vaccinating pregnant women is highly effective in protecting babies from birth until they can receive their own vaccines.

“Parents can also help protect their children by ensuring they receive their vaccines at the right time or catching up as soon as possible if they have missed any.

“If you’re unsure, please check your child’s red book or get in touch with your GP surgery.”

UKHSA warned last week that vaccination rates for primary school children were at the lowest levels for 15 years.

Almost one in five children starting primary school this week in England are not fully protected from diseases including whooping cough, polio, tetanus and diphtheria.

From next year the NHS will begin vaccinating all babies against chickenpox, or varicella, by combining it with the measles, mumps and rubella (MMR) vaccine in a new MMRV.

Uptake of both doses of the MMR jab has fallen to its lowest since 2009-10, with only 83.7 per cent of five-year-olds fully protected.

In England childhood vaccination rates have dropped to their lowest levels in nearly a decade, and the UK is below the World Health Organisation’s 95 per cent threshold for herd immunity across all five vaccines.

How to tackle whooping cough once you have it

There is usually no need to see a GP if you have a cough, according to the NHS.

But you should rest, drink plenty of fluids, and avoid contact with others.

Painkillers like paracetamol or ibuprofen can also be taken, as well as hot lemon and honey drinks and herbal medicine called pelargonium (if over the age of 12).

Pharmacists can also advise on the best cough syrups, medicines, sweets, and supplements.

You should see your GP if a cough has lasted longer than three weeks, you are losing weight for no reason, or you have a weakened immune system.