Fact Sheet: Pertussis – What You Need to Know

Pertussis, or whooping cough, is a serious highly infectious disease that impacts breathing. It is caused by Bordetella pertussis bacteria and is spread when an infected person coughs or sneezes. Pertussis can affect people of all ages, but it can be deadly for infants and young children. The DTaP and Tdap vaccines are the best way to prevent pertussis. The fact sheet below can help provide information about pertussis, pertussis vaccines, and answer any questions you may have.