The Costs of Pertussis (Whooping Cough)
| Cost item | Estimated cost or range |
|---|---|
| Outpatient medical care | $140-$240 |
| Pertussis laboratory test | $75-$250 |
| Antibiotic prescription | $10-$75 |
| Follow-up visit | $150-$300 |
| Humidifier, thermometer, and home-care supplies | $40-$120 |
| Food or medication delivery | $25-$75 |
| Transportation and parking | $20-$100 |
| Five to fifteen missed workdays | $1,250-$3,750 |
| Backup care for another child or dependent | $60-$900 |
| Highest cost: Infant hospital care | $15,000-$31,400+ |
Healthcare estimates are approximate current-dollar conversions of CDC economic-model inputs. Review the CDC model methods. Severe coughing commonly lasts for weeks; babies are at the highest risk of hospitalization. Read AAP clinical information about pertussis.
Disclaimer
Cost estimates are based on published U.S. healthcare expenditures and illustrative household expenses. Actual costs depend on disease severity, location, insurance coverage, wages, paid leave, services received, and family needs. Healthcare figures may represent combined payments from patients, insurers, and public programs and are not guaranteed to reflect out-of-pocket prices. Household expense ranges describe possible costs and should not be added as though every family will incur every item.
For the examples below, missed income is illustrated using median full-time earnings of $1,251 per week in the second quarter of 2026, about $250 per workday. A person’s actual loss may be higher, lower, or zero depending on wages and paid leave.
Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Usual Weekly Earnings, Second Quarter 2026.
Childcare prices differ sharply by location, age, and care setting. The ranges below are planning estimates. Local organizations can replace them with county-level prices from the U.S. Department of Labor database.
Source: U.S. Department of Labor, National Database of Childcare Prices.
