pertussis

pertussis A communicable, potentially deadly illness that is characterized by fits of coughing followed by a noisy, “whooping” indrawn breath. Pertussis is caused by the bacterium Bordetella pertussis. The illness is most likely to affect young children, but it sometimes appears in teenagers and adults, even those who have been previously immunized. When teenagers and adults get pertussis, it appears first as coughing spasms and then as a stubborn dry cough that lasts up to 8 weeks. Treatment is supportive. Young infants need hospitalization if the coughing becomes severe. Immunization with diphtheria-tetanus-pertussis (DTP) vaccine provides protection against pertussis, although that immunity may wear off with age. Also known as whooping cough. See also DTP immunization; DTaP immunization.