Pertussis (Whooping Cough)
Pertussis is a highly contagious respiratory disease caused by the bacterium Bordetella pertussis.
It spreads from person to person through coughing or sneezing while in close contact. Infection occurs when people breathe in the pertussis bacteria.
Signs and symptoms
Symptoms of whooping cough can vary for people based on their age and if they've been vaccinated or not.
It can cause violent coughing fits and the “whoop” sound, which occurs when a person tries to catch their breath after a coughing fit.
Babies younger than 1 year of age are at greatest risk for getting whooping cough and having severe complications.
How it spreads
The pertussis bacteria spread easily from person to person through the air. When a person with whooping cough sneezes or coughs, they release small particles with the bacteria in them. Other people can then breathe in the bacteria.
These bacteria can spread when people spend a lot of time together or share breathing space.
This page was last modified on 11/02/2025