It’s Professor Dave, let’s check out whooping cough.
It’s Professor Dave, let’s check out whooping cough.

Whooping cough is a very serious lung infection caused by a bacteria called Bordetella pertussis.
Whooping cough is a very serious lung infection caused by a bacteria called Bordetella pertussis.

Sometimes called Pertussis, per meaning very or severe; and tussis meaning a cough, this
Sometimes called Pertussis, per meaning very or severe; and tussis meaning a cough, this

disease is notorious for violent, uncontrollable coughing fits that often make it hard to breathe.
disease is notorious for violent, uncontrollable coughing fits that often make it hard to breathe.

In fact, whooping cough gets its name from the gasping breaths you might take after an
In fact, whooping cough gets its name from the gasping breaths you might take after an

intense coughing fit, which make a “whooping” sound.
intense coughing fit, which make a “whooping” sound.

CDC estimates that there over 24 million cases of pertussis worldwide each year, with over
CDC estimates that there over 24 million cases of pertussis worldwide each year, with over

160,000 of these resulting in death.
160,000 of these resulting in death.

While whooping cough can infect people of all ages, and it’s highly contagious, to
While whooping cough can infect people of all ages, and it’s highly contagious, to

boot, it is the most serious, and sometimes deadly, in babies less than a year old, particularly
boot, it is the most serious, and sometimes deadly, in babies less than a year old, particularly

because of their teeny tiny airways.
because of their teeny tiny airways.

Let’s get a closer look at this baby killer now.
Let’s get a closer look at this baby killer now.

So where does it come from?
So where does it come from?

Whooping cough was first described back in the Middle Ages, and has caused numerous epidemics
Whooping cough was first described back in the Middle Ages, and has caused numerous epidemics

over the years.
over the years.

The causative agent, Bordetella pertussis, was identified in the year 1900 by Belgian
The causative agent, Bordetella pertussis, was identified in the year 1900 by Belgian

scientists Jules Bordet and Octave Gengou.
scientists Jules Bordet and Octave Gengou.

Let’s talk more about the bacteria itself: Bordetella is an incredibly small, strictly
Let’s talk more about the bacteria itself: Bordetella is an incredibly small, strictly

aerobic, meaning it needs oxygen or it can’t survive, gram-negative coccobacillus, which
aerobic, meaning it needs oxygen or it can’t survive, gram-negative coccobacillus, which

just means its shape is somewhat of an intermediate between cocci, which are spherical bacteria,
just means its shape is somewhat of an intermediate between cocci, which are spherical bacteria,

and bacilli, which are rod-shaped bacteria.
and bacilli, which are rod-shaped bacteria.

So basically, think of an oval.
So basically, think of an oval.

Bordetella pertussis is spread from person-to-person through a sneeze, cough, or just sharing the
Bordetella pertussis is spread from person-to-person through a sneeze, cough, or just sharing the

same air for an extended period of time.
same air for an extended period of time.

Once you inhale these bacteria through “infectious aerosols”, they attach to the cilia, the
Once you inhale these bacteria through “infectious aerosols”, they attach to the cilia, the

tiny, hairlike projections, on the epithelial cells of the upper respiratory tract.
tiny, hairlike projections, on the epithelial cells of the upper respiratory tract.

The bacteria then proliferate and create toxins that damage the cilia and cause the airways
The bacteria then proliferate and create toxins that damage the cilia and cause the airways

to swell.
to swell.

In fact, Bordetella pertussis produces four toxins: pertussis toxin, adenylate cyclase
In fact, Bordetella pertussis produces four toxins: pertussis toxin, adenylate cyclase

or hemolysin, dermonecrotic toxin, and tracheal cytotoxin, which collectively trigger both
or hemolysin, dermonecrotic toxin, and tracheal cytotoxin, which collectively trigger both

localized tissue damage and systemic spread of disease.
localized tissue damage and systemic spread of disease.

This bacteria also produces two lipopolysaccharides which can trigger an immune system overreaction
This bacteria also produces two lipopolysaccharides which can trigger an immune system overreaction

that damages healthy cells.
that damages healthy cells.

What this means for an infected individual is this: once the bacteria are inhaled, there’s
What this means for an infected individual is this: once the bacteria are inhaled, there’s

typically a seven to ten day incubation period before symptoms set in, though it can take
typically a seven to ten day incubation period before symptoms set in, though it can take

up to three weeks.
up to three weeks.

The disease develops in stages, first causing cold-like symptoms, such as runny nose, mild
The disease develops in stages, first causing cold-like symptoms, such as runny nose, mild

cough, low-grade fever, or sneezing.
cough, low-grade fever, or sneezing.

Even though the symptoms are mild, this stage of disease produces the highest number of
Even though the symptoms are mild, this stage of disease produces the highest number of

bacteria, and therefore has the highest risk of transmission.
bacteria, and therefore has the highest risk of transmission.

After a week or two, the disease progresses and the traditional symptoms associated with
After a week or two, the disease progresses and the traditional symptoms associated with

whooping cough set in.
whooping cough set in.

Usually, this means paroxysms, which is just a fancy word for fits, of violent, rapid coughs
Usually, this means paroxysms, which is just a fancy word for fits, of violent, rapid coughs

until there is no more air in the lungs, which causes an infected individual to sharply inhale
until there is no more air in the lungs, which causes an infected individual to sharply inhale

with a loud “whooping” sound.
with a loud “whooping” sound.

The extreme coughing can cause vomiting or exhaustion.
The extreme coughing can cause vomiting or exhaustion.

For some, complications such as weight loss, bladder control loss, fainting, or rib fractures
For some, complications such as weight loss, bladder control loss, fainting, or rib fractures

might occur.
might occur.

Even worse, the disease is known to sometimes last up to 10 weeks or more, gaining the nickname
Even worse, the disease is known to sometimes last up to 10 weeks or more, gaining the nickname

the “hundred day cough”.
the “hundred day cough”.

Bordetella pertussis can only infect humans, with no known animal or environmental reservoir.
Bordetella pertussis can only infect humans, with no known animal or environmental reservoir.

To diagnose the disease, doctors conduct a physical examination, as well as a lab test
To diagnose the disease, doctors conduct a physical examination, as well as a lab test

of mucus or a blood test.
of mucus or a blood test.

If caught early, treatment with antibiotics is effective to reduce coughing fits and transmission
If caught early, treatment with antibiotics is effective to reduce coughing fits and transmission

to others.
to others.

However, treatment after three weeks of illness likely won’t help, as the bacteria have
However, treatment after three weeks of illness likely won’t help, as the bacteria have

gone by then, and the damage to the respiratory tract has already been done.
gone by then, and the damage to the respiratory tract has already been done.

There is, in fact, a vaccine for whooping cough that can protect babies, children, teens,
There is, in fact, a vaccine for whooping cough that can protect babies, children, teens,

and adults.
and adults.

In the U.S., doctors recommend a combination vaccine called DTaP for babies and children,
In the U.S., doctors recommend a combination vaccine called DTaP for babies and children,

which protects against three diseases: diphtheria, tetanus, and pertussis in one fell swoop.
which protects against three diseases: diphtheria, tetanus, and pertussis in one fell swoop.

There is also a booster, called Tdap, that protects teens and adults from these three
There is also a booster, called Tdap, that protects teens and adults from these three

diseases as well, which is very important for anyone to get before visiting a newborn
diseases as well, which is very important for anyone to get before visiting a newborn

baby that hasn’t yet been vaccinated.
baby that hasn’t yet been vaccinated.

You’d think since this disease has been around since the Middle Ages, we’d have
You’d think since this disease has been around since the Middle Ages, we’d have

eradicated it by now.
eradicated it by now.

However, whooping cough is a common disease in the U.S., and it remains one of the leading
However, whooping cough is a common disease in the U.S., and it remains one of the leading

causes of vaccine-preventable deaths worldwide.
causes of vaccine-preventable deaths worldwide.

One of the best ways to prevent spreading of whooping cough is to cover your mouth and
One of the best ways to prevent spreading of whooping cough is to cover your mouth and

nose with a tissue when you cough or sneeze, and wash your hands often.
nose with a tissue when you cough or sneeze, and wash your hands often.

But of course, encouraging people to vaccinate remains a crucial initiative.
But of course, encouraging people to vaccinate remains a crucial initiative.