Three stages: Catarrhal (low-grade fever, rhinorrhea); Paroxysmal (classic "whooping" cough); Convalescent (resolution of symptoms over a ~2wk period)
Full course of the disease = on average 6-8 weeks, although convalescent stage may last MONTHS
Erythromycin may be effective early on, but no effect once in the paroxysmal stage
Complications are most common in neonates and infants, and notably, the elderly
Complications include apnea, hypoxia, pneumonia, encephalopathy, pneumothorax/pneumomediastinum (from paroxysms in the setting of severe mucus plugging)
