Few know pertussis by its own name. Instead, it is known commonly as whooping cough – which is named after the ‘whooping’ sound that is made when this contagious disease racks the body. Pertussis is highly contagious. The simple act of exhaling done by a person with pertussis can force the bacteria (Bordetella pertussis) that spread the disease into the air. Pertussis affects over 45 million people each year, and has caused nearly 300,000 deaths. The length of this ailment has caused it to be known as the cough of 100 days in some countries. In the spring of 2012, it was declared that pertussis, or whooping cough, had reached epidemic proportions. In Washington State alone, 2,520 people fell ill to pertussis in April of the same year. However, Wisconsin holds the record for the most incidences of pertussis. Pertussis is one of the few diseases that are claiming lives, regardless of the fact that it is almost fully preventable by being vaccinated. This is why it is extremely important that parents educate themselves on what whooping cough is, and how to protect their children and families. In this book, commonly asked questions will be thoroughly answered. Those questions are: What is Pertussis? How Does Pertussis Affect the Body? What Are the Symptoms of Pertussis? How Is Pertussis Spread? Who Is At Risk For Pertussis? How Is Pertussis Prevented? Who Should be Vaccinated? What Are the Treatments for Pertussis? What Now?