What's Cough

Answer 1

Whooping cough is a highly contagious bacterial infection in your respiratory system caused by a bacteria called Bordetella Pertussis. If you grew up in a developed country, you were probably vaccinated as a child.

It affects people of all ages, but is most severe in children. (It is particularly severe in children under 1 year of age.) It was first recognised after a whooping cough epidemic in Paris in 1578. It was then known as the "dog bark," the "chin" cough or "kin" cough, meaning "convulsive" cough.

The disease causes sudden attacks of an irritating cough that often end in a high-pitched whooping sound as the child takes a breath. Although immunization has reduced its severity, it is still a common infection. Regular epidemics occur every 3-4 years.