This snapshot taken on 19/07/2006, shows web content selected for preservation by The National Archives. External links, forms and search boxes may not work in archived websites.
Pertussis, or whooping cough, is a highly infectious bacterial disease caused by Bordetella pertussis. It is spread by droplet infection, and has an incubation period of seven to ten days. The most recognisable symptom is an irritating cough that develops into coughing fits. In young infants, the characteristic ‘whoop’ may never develop and coughing spasms may be followed by periods of apnoea (breathing difficulty). Immunisation for pertussis was introduced in the 1950s.
More information about pertussis can be found at the NHS Immunisation website.