17 Remedies For Whooping Cough: Causes And Symptoms

Whooping cough or pertussis is a highly contagious respiratory disease with a characteristic whooping sound and uncontrollable persistent coughing (1). While you wait to get it confirmed, remedies for whooping cough at home can help you get some initial relief. While whooping cough can affect adults, it is more common in infants and children, causing much distress.

The persistently uncontrollable coughing may often lead to breathing issues, pain, and discomfort. While prescribed medicines can ultimately help resolve it over time, the home remedies mentioned below can also prove effective. Read on to know more about whooping cough treatment and management at home.

What Is Whooping Cough?

Whooping cough, scientifically known as pertussis, is a highly contagious respiratory infection caused by the bacterium Bordetella pertussis. It typically begins with symptoms resembling a common cold but progresses to severe and prolonged coughing fits. These are characterized by a distinctive “whooping” sound when the person tries to inhale, which gives the disease its name.

Gwen Brown, a blogger, recounts a scary episode where whooping cough has affected her family. On the second day, the baby’s cough took a grave turn. She writes, “The really scary thing is, my babe was the last of the four kids to get the ‘bad cough.’ Up to that point, we really had only thought of it as a cold with a bad, lingering cough (i).” With further research into the observed symptoms, she came to the realization, “We had lived with it for a couple of months, unaware.”

Whooping cough is especially concerning for infants, as it can be life-threatening for them. It spreads easily through respiratory droplets from coughs and sneezes, making vaccination crucial for prevention. Vaccines like DTaP and Tdap are effective in controlling its transmission. In older children and adults, whooping cough can lead to complications such as broken ribs and pneumonia. Early diagnosis, antibiotics, and isolation are important in managing this infectious disease.

Home remedies may help ease the pain and discomfort of whooping cough to a certain extent. Know more about them in the section below.

How To Treat Whooping Cough Naturally

1. Essential Oils

a. Peppermint Oil

Peppermint oil has antibacterial, antiseptic, and antispasmodic effects (2), (3). This may prove beneficial in the treatment of whooping cough and its symptoms.

You Will Need

• 1-2 drops of peppermint oil
• 1 tablespoon of any carrier oil like coconut or olive oil

What You Have To Do

1. Mix peppermint oil with a carrier oil of your choice.
2. Apply this mixture on your chest and back.
3. Alternatively, you can also add a drop of peppermint oil to hot water and inhale the steam.

How Often You Should Do This

Do this 1-2 times a day.

b. Eucalyptus Oil

Eucalyptus oil has traditionally been used to treat disorders of the respiratory tract, like bronchitisⁱ  XAn inflammation that affects the airflow through the respiratory tract due to discolored mucus buildup from a cold or other respiratory infections. , pharyngitisⁱ  XAlso known as sore throat, it is caused due to the inflammation of the pharynx (the throat) leading to pain, irritation, and a burning sensation, often a result of a cold or the flu. , and sinusitisⁱ  XAn inflammation that affects the nasal cavity with leading to swelling with mucus as a result of a cold or any type of allergy. (4). Hence, it may help in relieving the symptoms of whooping cough.

You Will Need

• 1-2 drops of eucalyptus oil
• 1 tablespoon of any carrier oil like coconut or olive oil

What You Have To Do

1. Mix eucalyptus oil with any carrier oil.
2. Apply this blend to your chest and back.
3. You can also add a drop of eucalyptus oil to some hot water and inhale the steam.

How Often You Should Do This

Do this 2 times a day.

2. Vitamin C

Vitamin C is one of the best ways to treat whooping cough (5), (6). Babies up to 6 months of age receive the required amounts of vitamin C through breast milk. For children older than 6 months, vitamin C intake may be increased through their diet. Adults require around 70 to 90 mg of vitamin C on a daily basis, while infants require about 40 mg of the same. Although you can opt for vitamin C supplements, it is a better option to increase its intake naturally via your diet.

3. Onion

Onions exhibit antibacterial activities (7). This may help in treating whooping cough and also improve overall immunity.

You Will Need

• 1 medium-sized onion
• 1/4 cup of honey

What You Have To Do

1. Peel and cut the onion into small pieces.
2. Mash these pieces and add honey to this.
3. Let this mixture sit overnight.
4. Consume a teaspoon of this every few hours.

How Often You Should Do This

Do this multiple times a day.

4. Garlic

Garlic contains a compound called allicin that exhibits antibacterial activities (8). These properties of garlic may be used to combat the bacteria that cause whooping cough (9). Thus, it is one of the best herbal remedies for this respiratory infection.

You Will Need

• 3-4 cloves of garlic
• Honey (optional)

What You Have To Do

1. Smash the garlic cloves.
2. Extract the juice from the smashed garlic and consume this daily.
3. You can also add honey for flavor.

How Often You Should Do This

Do this 2-3 times a day.

5. Turmeric

Turmeric contains a compound called curcumin that has antimicrobial properties (10). Turmeric can help treat whooping cough and shortness of breath (11).

You Will Need

• 1 teaspoon of turmeric
• 1 glass of hot milk

What You Have To Do

1. Add a teaspoon of turmeric to a glass of hot milk. Mix well.
2. Consume this daily.

How Often You Should Do This

Do this 2 times a day.

6. Ginger

Ginger is a natural expectorant and contains a compound called gingerol. The gingerol possesses strong antibacterial properties (12). These properties of ginger may help in combating whooping cough.

You Will Need

• 1-2 inches of ginger
• Honey (optional)

What You Have To Do

1. Mince the ginger to make a paste.
2. Extract the juice from the minced ginger and consume it daily.
3. You can also add honey for flavor.

How Often You Should Do This

Do this 2 times a day.

7. Elderberry Syrup

Elderberry syrup possesses antibacterial properties and chemical compounds that boost immunity (13), (14). It is one of the best immune boosters that may help in treating whooping cough and cold.

You Will Need

• 1 teaspoon of elderberry syrup
• 1 cup of any fruit juice or warm water

What You Have To Do

1. Add elderberry syrup to a cup of fruit juice or warm water.
2. Consume this daily.

How Often You Should Do This

Do this 3 times a day for a week.

8. Green Tea

Green tea contains catechins and polyphenols that possess strong antibacterial, antiviral, and antioxidant properties (15), (16). These may help in killing the bacteria that cause whooping cough.

You Will Need

• 1 teaspoon of green tea leaves
• 1 cup of hot water
• Honey (optional)

What You Have To Do

1. Steep the green tea leaves in a cup of hot water for 5 to 10 minutes.
2. Add honey for flavor and consume the tea before it turns cold.

How Often You Should Do This

Do this 2-3 times a day.

9. Salt Water

Several studies have found that using salt water is beneficial for cold and cough (17). Hence it may help in treating whooping cough.

You Will Need

• 1-2 teaspoons of salt
• 1 cup of hot water

What You Have To Do

1. Mix a teaspoon of salt in a cup of hot water.
2. Gargle with this water.

How Often You Should Do This

Do this once a day.

10. Humidifier

Keeping the environment relatively moist reduces the intensity and severity of cough (18). Installing a humidifier in the room of the infected individual may help in treating whooping cough. Additionally, adding essential oils to the humidifier may be beneficial.

11. Oregano

Oregano is a natural expectorant that has antibacterial properties (19). This may help in treating whooping cough.

You Will Need

• 4-5 drops of oregano oil
• 1 tablespoon of any carrier oil like coconut oil

What You Have To Do

1. Mix a few drops of oregano oil with any carrier oil.
2. Rub this mixture on your chest and back.
3. Alternatively, you can also add 4-5 drops of oregano oil to hot water and inhale the steam or consume oregano tea.

How Often You Should Do This

Do this 1-2 times a day.

12. Honey

Studies have found honey to be helpful in treating cough in children (20). Hence, it may also help in treating the symptoms of whooping cough.

You Will Need

• 1 tablespoon of organic honey
• 1 cup of warm water

What You Have To Do

1. Add organic honey to a cup of warm water and mix well.
2. Consume this mixture daily.

How Often You Should Do This

Do this 2-3 times a day.

13. Lemon

Lemon is a rich source of vitamin C and possesses antibacterial properties (21). These properties may be effective in treating whooping cough.

You Will Need

• 1/2 lemon
• 1 glass of water
• Honey (optional)

What You Have To Do

1. Squeeze half a lemon into a glass of water.
2. Add honey for flavor and consume daily.

How Often You Should Do This

Do this 2-3 times a day.

14. Licorice

Licorice contains glycyrrhizic acid (22). This compound exhibits immune boosting activities. It also works as a demulcent and helps in accelerating the healing of tissues damaged by persistent coughing (23). This may help in treating whooping cough.

You Will Need

• 1 teaspoon of licorice root
• 1 cup of water
• Honey (optional)

What You Have To Do

1. Steep the licorice in a cup of hot water for 5-10 minutes.
2. Strain and consume this tea before it turns cold.
3. You can also add honey for flavor.

How Often You Should Do This

Do this 2-3 times a day.

15. Almonds

The polyphenols present in the skins of almonds exhibit antibacterial properties (24). This may help in fighting the bacteria that cause whooping cough.

You Will Need

• 6-7 almonds
• 1/2 teaspoon of butter

What You Have To Do

1. Soak some almonds in water overnight.
2. Grind them the next morning with butter.
3. Consume this mixture.

How Often You Should Do This

Do this 2-3 times a day.

16. Chamomile

Chamomile has anti-inflammatory and antiphlogistic (ability to reduce inflammation) properties (25). This may help in relieving fever and inflammation associated with whooping cough.

You Will Need

• 1-2 teaspoons of dried chamomile
• 1 cup of water
• Honey (optional)

What You Have To Do

1. Steep two teaspoons of chamomile herb in a cup of hot water for 5 to 10 minutes.
2. Strain and add honey for flavor.
3. Consume the tea before it turns cold.

How Often You Should Do This

Do this 2-3 times a day.

17. Saffron

Saffron acts as an expectorant and is also an antibacterial (26). This may help in treating whooping cough.

You Will Need

• 6 saffron strands
• 1 cup of warm water
• Honey (optional)

What You Have To Do

1. Soak the saffron strands in a cup of warm water for 5-10 minutes.
2. Add honey for flavor and consume this daily.

How Often You Should Do This

Drink this 2 times a day.

You can also add thyme extract or essential oil to the above remedies. It is often used to soothe respiratory issues like bronchitis, whooping cough, and sore throat (27).

Trivia

Outbreaks of pertussis were first recorded in Persia in the fifteenth century. The two outbreaks during that time resulted in many deaths.

In addition to the remedies, you may also follow the tips mentioned below to prevent the recurrence of the infection.

Preventive Tips

Prevention of whooping cough is possible if you:

• Maintain basic hygiene by washing hands before eating and covering the mouth and nose while sneezing.
• Practice yoga and exercises to strengthen the lungs and improve breathing.
• Practice breathing exercises to improve the functioning of the lungs.
• Follow a proper diet that includes all the important minerals and vitamins needed for the body to recover soon.
• Try to stay as dry and warm as possible to avoid further health complications.
• Take ample amounts of rest to enable the body to recover faster.
• Stay away from allergens, such as dust and pollen, that can worsen the condition.
• Take appropriate zinc supplements and include probiotics in your diet. They may help relieve respiratory problems (28), (29).
• Avoid processed foods.
• Consume fresh fruits, milk, eggs, and ginger tea.
• Maintain optimal hydration levels by drinking enough water and fruit juices. This can ease the dryness in the throat.

These preventive tips may help in increasing the efficiency of the treatments against whooping cough, and this, in turn, may accelerate recovery. Once you have recovered, take precautions to avoid chances of reinfection.

In case you are afflicted with whooping cough, the following tips may help you:

• Steam inhalation may help expel excess mucus and clear the airways.
• Take cough suppressants and OTC cough medicines to soothe your cough.
• Consult your doctor for the appropriate medical treatment and follow the prescribed course of antibiotics.

If left untreated, whooping cough may cause drastic side effects in the long run.

Long-Term Effects Of Whooping Cough

Most adults and teens may recover from whooping cough without much complication. But the scenario is quite different in the case of infants under 6 months, and the complications are much severe. The long-term side effects of whooping cough in infants are as follows:

• Pneumonia
• Decreased breathing ability
• Weight loss and dehydration
• Damage to the brain
• Seizures

It is a dangerous disease for children due to their inability to manage its symptoms.

According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), The incidence of whooping cough was 72.3 infants per 100,000 (less than 6 months), 32.7 infants per 100,000 (6 months to 12 months), and 1.4 persons in adults (more than 20 years) in 2018.

Trivia

Pertussis is common in infants. Over 80% of infants younger than 2 months with reported pertussis are hospitalized in the US (30).

Causes Of Whooping Cough

Whooping cough is caused by Bordetella pertussis bacteria. These contagious bacteria are the sole cause of this infection in both adults and infants (31). When the cough droplets dispersed by an infected individual are inhaled by an uninfected individual or child, it leads to whooping cough in the latter as well.

The onset of the infection is accompanied by a series of symptoms that may vary in their severity.

Signs And Symptoms Of Whooping Cough

The symptoms of whooping cough are almost similar in both adults and babies, with only slight variations.

In Adults

• Violent and rapid coughing, sometimes followed by puking
• Fever
• Intermittent sneezing
• Nasal discharge
• Watery eyes

In Infants

• Runny nose
• Low fever
• Mild cough and sneezing
• Infants under the age of one may turn blue when breathing becomes difficult.
• Vomiting

The symptoms are often mild in the beginning but turn severe with time. This bacterial infection may have dangerous consequences if not treated immediately.

Infographic: Easy DIY Remedies To Treat Whooping Cough

Whooping cough is a contagious respiratory disease that involves persistent coughing and breathing issues. It is common in infants but occurs even in adults. Some simple home remedies can help ease the condition. Check out the infographic below for more information.

Get the high-quality PDF version of this infographic.

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Frequently Asked Questions

What is the difference between a cough and whooping cough?

Coughing is usually a reflex action to any foreign substance or mucus in the throat that only lasts for some time. But whooping cough is characterized by continuous bouts of coughing until the lungs are emptied, and this is usually followed by a ‘whooping’ sound when an individual tries to inhale.

What are the pros and cons of taking a whooping cough vaccine during pregnancy?

Pregnant women need to take the whooping cough vaccine during the third trimester of their pregnancy. This is to ensure the protection of their baby against whooping cough in the first few critical months after birth. However, in some rare cases, infant deaths from whooping cough have been reported in spite of vaccinating their mothers.

What are the three stages of whooping cough?

The course of whooping cough is usually classified into three stages:

• The first stage is the catarrhal or runny nose stage. This stage lasts for almost two weeks and is often accompanied by occasional coughs, sneezing, and nasal congestion.
• The second stage is the paroxysmal stage. This stage varies in its duration and could last anywhere from 1 to 10 weeks. The paroxysmal stage is often characterized by continuous and intense bouts of coughing. This stage could prove fatal for newborns as the drawn-out coughing sessions could leave them breathless.
• The third and final stage is the convalescent stage that can last from weeks to months. It is during this stage that the chronic coughing sessions become less paroxysmal, and the affected individual starts to recover.

Is whooping cough worse at night?

Yes, whooping cough is often worse at night. The lengthy coughing fits can disturb your sleep and leave you feeling tired.

How do you test for whooping cough?

The doctor will perform a nasal or throat culture to check for the Bordetella pertussis bacteria. The germs can be detected with a quick swab of the region where your nose and throat connect.

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Dr. Abby KramerDC

   

Dr. Kramer has 7 years of experience as a Chiropractor + Holistic Physician practicing in the Chicagoland area. She has been featured in various publications, including The Huffington Post, Bustle, E Health Radio Network, and the American Chiropractic Association Journal of Rehabilitation.   Through her history of experiencing migraine headaches in her 20s and being told her symptoms were “normal”,...more

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