10 Symptoms of Whooping Cough You Shouldn't Ignore

3. Sneezing

Sneezing often accompanies a runny nose in the early stages of whooping cough, and it contributes to how easily the illness spreads. Whooping cough transmits primarily through respiratory droplets produced by coughing and sneezing, which is why it moves quickly through households and classrooms. Children are less likely to cover their faces, which puts peers and family members at higher risk. Despite widespread vaccination programs, whooping cough remains a significant cause of illness and death globally, particularly among unvaccinated or under-vaccinated infants.