Whooping cough is an acute respiratory infection caused by a bacterium called Bordetella pertussis.
This infection is highly contagious (especially in unvaccinated people). It is spread from person to person by droplets of respiratory fluid containing the bacteria, which are expelled when the person coughs and spread through the air. Pertussis usually lasts several weeks.
Symptoms occur in 3 distinct phases: a catarrhal phase lasting 1 to 2 weeks, a paroxysmal phase lasting 2 to 4 weeks, and a convalescent or remission phase lasting 1 to 3 weeks.
The diagnosis is made by clinical history and confirmed by a laboratory test called PCR of nasal or nasopharyngeal swabs.
Treatment is with oral antibiotics. Vaccination is the main preventive measure for this disease.
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