Whooping Cough: symptoms and which specialist to see

Whooping Cough

Reviewed by the medical team of El Doctor Editorial policy

Whooping cough is a highly contagious respiratory infection caused by a bacterium that affects the airways and causes intense, prolonged coughing fits. It can be especially delicate in infants and young children.

How it shows up: Repeated coughing fits, sometimes followed by a high-pitched sound when breathing in, which may be accompanied by vomiting or difficulty breathing.

Why it matters: It is a disease that can be prevented through the vaccinations included in the standard immunization schedules.

Which specialists treat it? The pediatrician is the first point of reference in childhood, with support from the infectious disease specialist, the pediatric infectious disease specialist, and the pulmonologist depending on the case. If a child has a persistent cough in fits, the prudent thing is to seek timely medical evaluation.

Data on 215 doctors who treat whooping cough

Typical price

$800 MXN

33% above the national median

50% charge between $600 and $900 MXN

99% with verified license

Which specialist treats whooping cough?

Whooping cough in children is treated by a pediatrician, supported by a pediatric pulmonologist or pediatric infectious disease specialist depending on severity; in adults, a pulmonologist is the specialist to see. Seek care right away if the child has intense coughing fits with difficulty breathing.

Pediatrician Pediatric Pulmonologist Pulmonologist Pediatric Infectious Disease Specialist