[per-tuhs-is] 
[hoo-ping, hoo
p-ing] | an infectious disease of the respiratory mucous membrane, caused by Bordetella pertussis, characterized by a series of short, convulsive coughs followed by a deep inspiration accompanied by a whooping sound. |
| per·tus·sis (pər-tŭs'ĭs) n. See whooping cough. [New Latin : Latin per-, thorough; see per- + Latin tussis, cough.] per·tus'sal adj. |
| whoop·ing cough (hōō'pĭng, hwōō'-, wōō'-, hŏŏp'ĭng) n. A highly contagious disease of the respiratory system, usually affecting children, that is caused by the bacterium Bordetella pertussis and is characterized in its advanced stage by spasms of coughing interspersed with deep, noisy inspirations. Also called pertussis. |
An acute and infectious disease occurring mainly in children and characterized by violent coughing. Caused by a kind of bacteria, whooping cough has largely been eradicated in the United States through a program of vaccination, which is begun when infants are just three months old.
pertussis per·tus·sis (pər-tŭs'ĭs)
n.
See whooping cough.
whooping cough whoop·ing cough (h&oomacr;'pĭng, hw&oomacr;'-, w&oomacr;'-, h&oobreve;p'ĭng)
n.
A highly contagious disease of the respiratory system, usually affecting children, that is caused by Bordetella pertussis and is marked in its advanced stage by spasms of coughing interspersed with deep, noisy inspirations. Also called pertussis.
| pertussis (pər-tŭs'ĭs) Pronunciation Key
See whooping cough. |
whooping cough (h 'pĭng, h p'ĭng, w'pĭng, wp'ĭng) Pronunciation Key
An infectious disease caused by the bacterium Bordatella pertussis, seen most commonly in children and characterized by coughing spasms often ending in loud gasps. Vaccinations usually given during infancy confer immunity to the disease. Also called pertussis. |