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Pertussis Or Whooping Cough

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Pertussis, also known as whooping cough is an extremely contagious respiratory tract infection. It is commonly noted by a severe hacking cough directly followed by a high-pitched intake of air that sounds like a “whoop”. Many years before a vaccine was made, pertussis was considered a deadly childhood disease. Today, pertussis generally affects children who are too young to have fully completed a full course of vaccinations; however, in recent years, (2012) the United States reported nearly 50,000 cases of pertussis which accounted for the most cases since 1955.

Symptoms

Once infection sets in, it can take seven to ten days for signs and symptom to appear. It can even take a little longer. At first one can expect:

•Runny Nose

•Nasal

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