Pertussis (Whooping Cough)

Pertussis is a respiratory infection caused by bacteria. It is also known as whooping cough because of the sound of the cough it causes.

The illness usually begins with a runny nose, mild cough, and pink eyes that last about a week. Then an increasingly severe cough develops that can last two to four weeks. The cough usually comes in spasms and ends with a high-pitched whoop. Often the coughing causes a child to vomit or his or her face to turn red or blue. During the coughing phase, children with whooping cough do not have a fever. In infants, whooping cough is a very serious illness and may require them to be hospitalized.

Treatment

Prevention