Why do I need a whooping cough test?
Your health care provider may order a whooping cough test if you or your child has symptoms of whooping cough. You or your child may also need a test if you've been exposed to someone who has whooping cough.
Symptoms of whooping cough usually occur in three stages. In the first stage, symptoms are like those of a common cold and may include:
Runny nose
Watery eyes
Mild fever
Mild cough
It's better to get tested in the first stage, when the infection is most treatable.
In the second stage, the symptoms are more serious and may include:
Severe coughing that's hard to control
Trouble catching your breath when coughing, which may cause a "whooping" sound
Coughing so hard it causes vomiting
In the second stage, infants may not cough at all. But they may struggle to breathe or may even stop breathing at times.
In the third stage, you will start to feel better. You may still be coughing, but it will probably be less often and less severe.
