The bacterium Bordetella Pertussis causes whooping cough also known as whooping cough. This is an extremely contagious respiratory tract infection that causes inflammation and damage to the lining of the airways. This leads to excessive mucus production which irritates the airways and causes the coughing element of the disease. Whooping cough can cause other serious illnesses and is usually spread through coughing or sneezing while in close contact with other people who then breathe in the bacteria that causes the disease. It is possible to contract whooping cough more than once, sometimes even years apart, at any age. If you have not completed the primary vaccination course you are at greater risk of serious illness. “Since the 1980s, the number of reported whooping cough cases has gradually increased in the United States. In 2005, more than 25,000 cases of whooping cough were reported in the United States, the highest number of cases reported since 1959. Approximately 60% of cases were in adolescents and adults, due to decreased immune systems in this population” (Department of Health, n.d.). After infection symptoms may begin 4 to 21 days, but usually occur between 7 and 14 days and can last 6 to 10 weeks or sometimes even longer. In young children, 3 stages can occur, not necessarily the same for older children and adults. Symptoms of the first stage are more similar to the common cold and include a runny nose, nasal congestion, sneezing, red or watery eyes, mild fever and dry cough. These symptoms can last from several days to 2 weeks and it is at this stage that the disease is most likely to spread. The second stage is when the cold symptoms will start to improve but the cough will get worse. The cough becomes so uncontrollable that... middle of paper... ver, convulsions, shock, or coma. If you are moderately or severely ill you should wait to be vaccinated until you recover. If you have ever had a life-threatening allergic reaction or received a brain or nervous system disease within 7 days after a dose of DTaP, you should not take another dose. Whooping cough is not a disease, taking regular mild cough medicine will not work against whooping cough. If you have a prolonged or severe cough you should contact your doctor because it may be whooping cough.Works CitedDepartment of Health, (n.d.). Retrieved from www.health.ny.gov/diseases/communicable/pertussis/fact_sheet.htmA look at each vaccine, (2013) Retrieved from www.chop.edu/service/vaccine-education-center/a-look-at-each -vaccine/dtap-diphtheria-tetanus-and-pertussis-vaccine.htmlPertussis, (n.d.). Retrieved from www.immunizationinfo.org/vaccines/pertussis-whooping-cough