Final answer:
The first choice antibiotics for whooping cough are macrolides such as azithromycin, clarithromycin, and erythromycin, particularly effective in early stages of the disease.
Step-by-step explanation:
The first choice antibiotics for whooping cough (pertussis) are typically macrolides such as azithromycin, clarithromycin, and erythromycin. During the early stage of infection, these antibiotics can be effective in reducing symptoms and transmission rates. It's important to note that antibiotic therapy is most effective at the very earliest stages of the disease. If diagnosed later, other antibiotics such as amoxicillin and doxycycline might be used, although they may have limited effectiveness. To complement the treatment and prevent occurrences, active vaccination with the DTaP or Tdap vaccine is highly recommended as a more effective approach to control the spread of pertussis.