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=**the whooping cough**=

During 2005 and 2006, about 2500 cases were reported annually. The most noticeable symptom of this infection is severe spells of cough, followed by a "whoop" sound before the next breath.
 * Pertussis**, also known as **whooping cough**, is a highly contagious infection of the respiratory tract caused by a bacterium called Bordetella pertussis. Pertussis is the second most frequently reported, vaccine-preventable disease in Canada.

The disease can affect people of any age; however, the disease is most severe among young infants. Infants under one year of age and pregnant women in their third trimester are most vulnerable to the effects of pertussis.

In some cases, pertussis can cause serious complications and even death in infants.

Immunization is the best defence against pertussis. Although widespread immunization has significantly decreased infection rates overall, cases still occur.

Pertussis is spread through droplets in the air from an infected person’s coughs or sneezes. It can also be spread through coming in contact with discharges from an infected person’s nose or throat.

Pertussis can be quite unpleasant, especially for young infants. At first, symptoms are similar to those of the common cold. They can include a runny nose, red watery eyes, mild fever and cough. The cough worsens until the infected individual experiences severe coughing spells. These bouts of severe coughing can continue over a period ranging from six to 12 weeks.

Symptoms may appear between seven to 10 days after exposure to an infected person, but these symptoms may be delayed for up to 20 days.

Pertussis is most contagious during the first two weeks when symptoms resemble those of a common cold. Contagiousness declines rapidly after that, but may last up to three weeks.

Persons with pertussis may be prescribed antibiotics. An infected individual should stay home and avoid close contact with others

By Tavis Thorne