Final answer:
Pertussis, or whooping cough, is characterized by severe coughing attacks that make breathing difficult and can produce a distinctive "whoop" sound upon inhalation. The disease is caused by Bordetella pertussis and is highly contagious, spread through coughing. Vaccinations such as DTaP and Tdap are critical in preventing the spread of pertussis.
Step-by-step explanation:
Pertussis, commonly known as whooping cough, is characterized most notably by severe coughing attacks where the patient struggles to catch their breath. It is caused by the bacterium Bordetella pertussis, which results in mucus accumulation in the lungs leading to prolonged coughing spells. The coughing can become so intense that upon inhaling, the person makes a "whoop" sound, hence the name whooping cough. Typically, infanthood and childhood are the life stages at which the symptoms are the most pronounced, although adults can also be affected. Pertussis is highly contagious and is spread through droplet transmission, often facilitated by the uncontrollable coughing.
The infection progresses through three stages, with the paroxysmal stage being the most severe. The paroxysmal stage of pertussis is marked by severe and prolonged coughing spells. Pertussis can be serious enough in infants to cause rib fractures and, rarely, lead to death. The best means of controlling pertussis is through vaccination, and the DTaP and Tdap vaccines are commonly used in the United States to prevent this infection.