Pertussis or whooping cough is a bacterial disease for which the bacterium Bordetella pertussis is to blame. Highly contagious, the infection almost always causes violent coughing fits that can lead to cracked ribs. Some other symptoms include vomiting, extreme fatigue, fever, and nasal congestion. Early diagnosis and treatment help prevent the spread of the disease. Antibiotics are especially effective at speeding recovery.

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