Pertussis (whooping cough)

Pertussis is a respiratory infection caused by a bacteria called Bordetella Pertussis. It is also known as "whooping cough" because the major symptom is severe spells of coughing followed by a whoop sound before the next breath. The illness lasts for several weeks. About 20-30% of infants less than 12 months old with pertussis are so sick they are admitted to hospital; brain damage occurs in approximately 1 out of 400 of these hospitalized infants. Studies in Britain show that children who had pertussis in infancy have a much higher rate of learning and behaviour problems than children who did not have the infection.

Routine vaccination of infants and young children has resulted in a marked decline of pertussis in every country with a vaccination program. A booster is now recommended for adolescents and adults, combined with the tetanus and diphtheria vaccines.

Public Health Agency of Canada

Caring for Kids

Canadian Coalition for Immunization Awareness and Promotion

World Health Organization