Whooping cough presents in clear stages, with early days showing subtle signals and later days revealing the more recognizable patterns. In the first phase, typically within the initial two weeks, a person may develop a mild, persistent cough that gradually intensifies. A low-grade fever can accompany this cough, often hovering near 38 degrees Celsius. Medical observers describe these early signs as understated yet perceptible, indicating underlying irritation of the airways that can progress if left unchecked. This period is a warning phase, where the immune system is still mounting a response and the bacteria are establishing their foothold in the respiratory tract. Some patients may also experience minor symptoms such as a runny nose, throat irritation, or fatigue, which can be easy to overlook but are part of the broader picture of the infection.
