pertussis

[ per-tuhs-is ]

noun

, Pathology.

1. whooping cough.

pertussis

/ pəˈtʌsɪs /

noun

1. the technical name for whooping cough

pertussis

/ pər-tŭs′ĭs /

1. See whooping cough

Derived Forms

• perˈtussal, adjective

Other Words From

• per·tussal adjective

Word History and Origins

Origin of pertussis¹

1790–1800; < New Latin, equivalent to Latin per- per- + tussis a cough

Word History and Origins

Origin of pertussis¹

C18: New Latin, from Latin per- (intensive) + tussis cough

Example Sentences

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

From Science Daily

On Thursday, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention published concerning new figures on whooping cough — caused by Bordatella pertussis bacterial infections — in the United States.

From Salon

Nationwide, cases of pertussis, as the illness is formally known, are nearly three times higher in 2024 than during the first five months of 2023, according to data from the U.S.

From Los Angeles Times

Uptake of the maternal pertussis vaccine, which is offered during every pregnancy and provides some protection to babies in the first few months of life, has also dropped.

From BBC

Known as pertussis or "100-day cough", the infection is a cyclical disease with peaks seen every three to five years.

From BBC