pertussis

/pərˈtʌsəs/

Pertussis is an illness that causes severe coughing, which can last for weeks or even months. Luckily, there is a vaccine for babies that protects them from getting pertussis.

Pertussis is more commonly known as whooping cough for the distinctive, gasping "whoop" sound made during a coughing fit. Pertussis is highly contagious and especially dangerous for very young children and babies, who can stop breathing. The vaccine is very effective at preventing pertussis, although booster shots need to be given over time. Pertussis comes from per-, "thoroughly, and tussis, "cough."

Definitions of pertussis

1. noun

   a disease of the respiratory mucous membrane
   synonyms: whooping cough

   type of:

   infectious disease

   a disease transmitted only by a specific kind of contact

   respiratory disease, respiratory disorder, respiratory illness

   a disease affecting the respiratory system