Pertussis or whooping cough is a contagious disease involving the respiratory tract. The bacteria is found in the mouth, nose and throat of an infected person. Pertussis can occur at any age. It is most dangerous to young children but can cause severe coughing in adults that lasts for many weeks to months. Pertussis is spread by direct contact with discharges from the nose and throat of infected individuals.
Pertussis begins as a mild upper respiratory infection.
Initially, symptoms resemble a common cold, including sneezing, runny nose, low grade fever and mild cough. Within two weeks the disease enters it second stage. Adults rarely have a crowing or whoop sound. Adults typically have the repeated coughing episode which may be followed by gagging or vomiting, fainting, or marked breathlessness. In between episodes, adult feel pretty well in this second stage of the illness.