Can infant whooping cough be transmitted to adults?

Pertussis (whooping cough) in infants is an acute respiratory infectious disease caused by Bordetella pertussis, and it is highly contagious. Whether infants with pertussis can transmit the infection to adults mainly depends on the adult's physical condition and whether they have been vaccinated against pertussis. 1. Physical condition: Adults with poor health who lack antibodies against Bordetella pertussis are at risk of infection when exposed to respiratory droplets from an infected infant's coughing or sneezing. 2. Vaccination status: Adults who have received the pertussis vaccine and developed protective antibodies are generally not susceptible to infection when in contact with an infected infant. Therefore, pertussis in infants may be transmitted to adults, especially those with weakened immune systems or who have not been vaccinated. It is recommended that adults take personal protective measures—such as wearing masks and frequently washing hands—when caring for an infant with pertussis to reduce the risk of infection.