Pertussis, also known as whooping cough, is a kind of respiratory infection. It gets the name \u201cwhooping cough\u201d because of the unique sound a person with the condition makes when they take a quick breath in, such as after coughing. However, in older adults, that sound may not be present, which sometimes leads to misdiagnosis. Although most people associate whooping cough with young children, it\u2019s actually most common in adults and adolescents. Because complications of whooping cough include pneumonia and dehydration, it can be a dangerous infection for seniors.<\/p>\n
General Information About Whooping Cough<\/strong><\/p>\n Whooping cough is caused by the Bordetella pertussis virus. It is an airborne virus that is spread when someone coughs or sneezes. There is a childhood vaccine for the virus, but it wears off. This is why the infection is more common in teenagers and adults.<\/p>\n Adults don\u2019t usually have severe complications, but infants and young children can die from whooping cough. In adults, the most common complications are:<\/p>\n