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Pertussis, commonly known as whooping cough, is a highly contagious disease of the upper respiratory tract. It is caused by a bacteria known as bordatella pertussis. This bacteria is quite common and causes very distinct symptoms, most notably a cough which resembles an almost comical whooping sound. Pertussis is seen mostly in children. Fortunately there is now a vaccine available which is widely used and has reduced the rate of whooping cough infections dramatically.

Over 90% of cases of whooping cough are seen in children below five years of age. However, it should be noted that people of all ages are susceptible to a pertussis infection. The pertussis bacteria is spread by small droplets of water, such as those formed when you sneeze or cough on someone else. These small droplets of water can be suspended in the air of the room for some time. Consequently, you do not need to be sneezed on directly in order to be exposed to the bacteria.

Once infected, the incubation period for a pertussis infection is approximately 7 to 10 days. In the early stages of the infection a person is highly contagious, and can easily pass the bacteria along to others, even before they are showing significant symptoms themselves.

Pertussis infections go through three distinct phases. They are the Catarrhal Stage, the Paroxysmal Stage, and the Convalescent Stage.

The Catarrhal Stage

The most common symptoms seen in this stage of a pertussis infection include red and watery eyes, runny noses, lack of appetite, and a general feeling of being unwell. As the infection progresses the symptoms will change slightly. This stage can last for a few days before progressing on to the next.

The Paroxysmal Stage

The second stage of the infection is known as the paroxysmal stage. It is in this stage that the child will develop the notorious cough. The whooping sound is distinctive because it is made when the patient is inhaling, rather than a typical cough which is made as you exhale. It is believed that the cough is the result of mucous secretions in the respiratory tract. Vomiting is not uncommon in this stage as well.

It is also quite common to see small red rash on the face and mouth. Lesions on the tongue and in and around the eyes occur frequently. Laboratory tests of a patient with pertussis infection will show an elevation of the white blood cell count. Elevated levels of white blood cells are commonly seen in many infections, as they are the primary immune response by

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