What Is Pertussis (Whooping Cough)?

not taking the pertussis (whooping cough) vaccination and adults who have not had a booster such that the vaccination’s protection has weakened. Experts estimate that up to one million cases of whooping cough occur each year in the United States, across all age groups. Whooping cough usually starts as a mild cold-like illness (upper respiratory infection). The pertussis bacteria enter the lungs and cause swelling and irritation in the airways leading to severe coughing fits. At times, people with whooping cough can have a secondary pneumonia from other bacteria while they are ill. Whooping cough can cause very serious illness. It is most dangerous in young babies and can result in death. It spreads very easily and people who have the infection can still spread it to others for weeks after they become sick. Many babies get infected by parents, siblings, or other adults who may have less severe infection without the typical cough. How is Pertussis infection spread? Pertussis is spread from person to person. The infection gets into your body through your nose, mouth or eyes. When an infected person coughs or sneezes, bacteriacontaining droplets get in the air. If you are close enough, you can breathe in these droplets or they can land on your mouth, nose, or eye. You can also get the infection if you kiss the face of a person with pertussis or get infected nose or mouth secretions on your hands and then touch your own face to rub your eyes or nose. A person with pertussis can remain contagious for many weeks unless treated with an antibiotic. Even if a person has had whooping cough in the past or has had the vaccine, he or she can still get sick. However, the vaccine can help reduce the risk and how severe the infection is.