Pertussis

Pertussis is one of the most common respiratory diseases in American teens and adults.

It is commonly called whooping cough because some people with the disease often make a loud "whoop" sound as they struggle to breathe through the narrowed airways between coughing spasms.¹³

Pertussis causes a prolonged cough that can last weeks or months and can result in pneumonia or hospitalization.¹⁴ The disease is caused by bacteria and spreads when someone who has the disease coughs or sneezes.¹⁵

Teens who contract pertussis may have a hard time breathing, eating, or sleeping. The disease can also lead to cracked ribs, pneumonia, or trips to the hospital. It may take several weeks before the symptoms start to get better, and full recovery can take several months. More importantly, teens and adults can transmit pertussis down to their susceptible younger siblings. These younger siblings may be at increased risk for severe complications from the disease.¹⁵

Vaccination against pertussis is recommended for preteens and teens because the immunization they received as children begins to wear off after 5 years, making them more vulnerable to becoming infected with pertussis and spreading it to infants around them.¹⁵