The '100-Day Cough' Often Missed in Adults Is Highly Contagious

Whooping cough, or pertussis, is a highly contagious bacterial infection that often looks different in adults than in children.

Adults may not have the classic “whoop,” but they can still spread the disease and suffer coughing that lasts about 100 days.

Early antibiotic treatment helps, yet vaccination does not fully prevent infection because immunity can fade over time and protection is incomplete.

The illness can cause prolonged symptoms and complications such as pneumonia, making recognition in adults important.