Whooping Cough (Pertussis)

A Highly contagious bacterial infection, whooping cough at first resembles a common cold, with runny nose, cough, perhaps a slight temperature and occasionally vomiting. After about 2 weeks, the child develops fits of coughing (paroxysms) with each cough ending with a characteristic "whoop" as the child breathes in. Younger babies may not whoop, but they may stop breathing altogether during paroxysms. The paroxysms of coughing leave the child exhausted and sweating and often make them vomit. After about 2-4 weeks, the whooping type of cough fades, leaving a more normal cough.
Young babies who get whooping cough are more severely affected than older children. They may have convulsions or even die during paroxysms of coughing.

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