The cough can last for weeks and make it hard for a child to eat, drink or even breathe. Pertussis can cause serious complications. Pneumonia can occur in more than 2 out of 10 children with pertussis. It can also cause brain damage and death. These problems happen most often in babies.
Pertussis spreads very easily from infected person to others through coughing or sneezing.
Diphtheria is a serious disease of the nose, throat and skin. It causes sore throat, fever and chills. It can be complicated by breathing problems, heart failure and nerve damage. Diphtheria kills 1 out of every 10 people who get the disease. It is passed to others through coughing and sneezing.