Pertussis, also known as whooping cough, is a highly contagious bacterial illness that causes a cough lasting several weeks.
Pertussis is usually a disease of children although it can occur at any age.
Most reported cases occur in children under 5 years old. Pertussis is primarily spread by direct contact with the mucus or saliva of an infected person, or it can be spread by airborne droplets. Early symptoms include a runny nose, sneezing, fever, and cough - symptoms similar to a common cold. These coughing fits usually last from 1-6 weeks. Pertussis can cause serious illness, especially in young infants.