pertussis

American  

[per-tuhs-is] / pərˈtʌs ɪs /

noun

Pathology.

1. whooping cough.

---

pertussis British  

/ pəˈtʌsɪs /

noun

1. the technical name for whooping cough

---

pertussis Scientific  

/ pər-tŭs′ĭs /

1. See whooping cough

---

Other Word Forms

• pertussal
  adjective

Etymology

Origin of pertussis

1790–1800; < New Latin, equivalent to Latin per- per- + tussis a cough

Explanation

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."

Example Sentences

Pertussis cases have surged in California in recent years, after falling dramatically during the core years of the COVID-19 pandemic, according to California Department of Public Health data.

From Los Angeles Times • Apr. 30, 2026

Pertussis rates began climbing in the 2000s as evidence revealed that protection from an updated pertussis vaccine given during early childhood wore off sooner than expected.

From Scientific American • Sep. 25, 2023

Pertussis vaccines were notoriously dirty, and often temporally associated with adverse events, such as seizures and sudden, unexplained death.

From Slate • Sep. 16, 2015

Pertussis is a highly contagious disease whose common name, whooping cough, could imply it’s only a bad cough.

From Washington Times • Jul. 22, 2015

Pertussis depends on a specific poison or contagion; this is universally admitted. 2d.

From A System of Practical Medicine by American Authors, Vol. I Volume 1: Pathology and General Diseases by Various