Whooping cough, also known as pertussis, is a highly contagious respiratory tract infection. It is caused by a type of bacteria called Bordetella pertussis. The infection causes uncontrollable coughing that can make it difficult to breathe which is followed by a “whoop” sound that is high pitched in nature.
Earlier, before the vaccine was invented, whooping cough was considered a childhood disease, as it affected the majority of people during their childhood. Now, it affects children who are too young to have completed the full course of vaccinations and teenagers and adults whose immunity has worn off due to time.
While whooping cough can affect people of any age group, it can be deadly for infants and young children.
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