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pertussis
(pәr-tus´is)
an infectious disease characterized by inflammation of the mucous membranes of the respiratory tract and peculiar paroxysms of coughing. Although it may attack at any age, most cases occur in children. The causative organism is Bordetella pertussis, which is spread by the victim's coughing and sneezing and by objects they have touched. The incubation period varies from
a few days to 21 days. Unlike other respiratory diseases, pertussis is more likely to occur in spring and summer than in winter.
It affects females much more often than males. The first stage is the catarrhal stage; for about two weeks the child has a runny nose, coughing, and a slight fever. Next comes the paroxysmal stage; for several weeks the child feels chilled, sometimes vomits, and has the characteristic coughing. Coughing often occurs eight
to ten times in one breath, which forces the air from the lungs, and the child's face may turn purple or blue. When they finally
breathe, it is with a long, noisy intake or “whoop.” The convalescent stage may last for months; coughing spells diminish, but may come back with any upper respiratory infection. Called also whooping cough.
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