Pertussis, better known by many as Whooping Cough is a bacterial disease and is the cause for a major infection in the respiratory system. The bacteria responsible for the infection is called Bordetella pertussis and is very contagious, and is most commonly seen in young children and babies.

Many people wonder how such an awful infection got such a fun name like "Whooping" cough. Well, it has nothing to do with the fact that people with this disease whoop it up and have a great time. Rather it refers to the sound, a whoop sound children make when breathing because their voice box becomes very swollen.

Pertussis has been on the planet for quite some time. According to medical records the first cases of it were documented as far back as the 16th century, the first outbreak occurred in Paris in 1578. Interestingly enough the bacteria that causes the infection was discovered long after in 1906.

Generally speaking, Whooping cough lasts for roughly 10 weeks. Because of this time span, it is referred to in some countries as the "100 days cough." The first stage lasts from 1 - 2 weeks, and the person will experience symptoms much like that of an ordinary cold: low grade fever, runny nose, sneezing and an occasional cough. Many people actually believe at this stage they only have a cold and nothing more serious.

After 2 weeks stage 2 begins, and now it becomes prettyclear that the cold is really whooping cough. During this stage there are bursts of rapid and rather violent coughing spells. Little by little the coughing increases and can last for 2 - 3 weeks. People have been known to crack ribs due to the frequent and forceful coughs, and vomiting and exhaustion are common after fits.

The 3rd and final stage of Pertussis where the coughing eventually lessens, and the fever completely breaks.

Antibiotics can sometimes lessen the severe symptoms of Whooping Cough, but only if the illness is caught very early on, sometime during stage 1. Antibiotic treatment can also, if given early on, lessen the chances of the infected passing on the illness to others. It's still not certain whether antibiotics given during stage 2 have any real, lasting effects.

Although Whooping Cough itself is not a life-threatening illness, the complications of this disease are of concern to people, especially the very young and the very old. The most common complication is the development of bacterial pneumonia. Infants, especially, are risk of developing fatal pneumonia.

Although controversy surrounds the topic of the safety and efficacy of vaccines, the conversation continues as people from both sides of the issue chime in. There are those in favor of the current vaccination schedule who will point to specific studies that, in their mind, point to the complete safety and effectiveness of Pertussis vaccines and other vaccines. There are those who question the safety and efficacy of vaccines and point to different studies which demonstrate the danger of vaccines on a child's neurological development.

What does seem to be clear to many is that research needs to continue. To be clearer, independent research should be conducted on all vaccines and people, especially parents, should be allowed to come to their own decisions as to whether or not they believe the current vaccines and vaccination schedule is healthy for their child.