pertussis

American  

[per-tuhs-is] / pərˈtʌs ɪs /

noun

Pathology.

1. whooping cough.

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pertussis British  

/ pəˈtʌsɪs /

noun

1. the technical name for whooping cough

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pertussis Scientific  

/ pər-tŭs′ĭs /

1. See whooping cough

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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

Another disease to watch out for is pertussis, also known as whooping cough.

From Los Angeles Times • Sep. 15, 2025

Cases of whooping cough, or pertussis, for instance, used to be rare, but are now a monthly occurrence, she said.

From BBC • Sep. 14, 2025

As early as 2 months old, babies get a formulation called DTaP, which besides pertussis also protects against diphtheria and tetanus.

From Los Angeles Times • Nov. 22, 2024

Current pertussis vaccines are widely used and effective at preventing whooping cough, caused by the Bordetella pertussis bacteria.

From Science Daily • Nov. 18, 2024

Against other illnesses, though—including measles, mumps, rubella, pertussis, and the now defeated smallpox—our antibodies stimulated by one infection confer lifelong immunity.

From "Guns, Germs, and Steel: The Fates of Human Societies" by Jared M. Diamond