The first symptoms of whooping cough are similar to those of a common cold:
- Low-grade fever
- Mild cough
- Runny nose
- Sneezing
After about 1 to 2 weeks, the dry, irritating cough evolves into coughing spells. During a coughing spell, which can last for more than a minute, the child may turn red or purple. At the end of a spell, the child may make a characteristic whooping sound when breathing in or may vomit. Between spells, the child usually feels well.