pertussis

per·tus·sis | \ pər-ˈtə-səs

How to pronounce pertussis (audio)

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Definition of pertussis

: whooping cough

Examples of pertussis in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web Mandatory childhood immunizations include measles, mumps and rubella, diphtheria, pertussis (whooping cough), tetanus, poliomyelitis, and haemophilus influenzae type B, an infection that can lead to bacterial meningitis. — Jenna Carlesso, courant.com, "The COVID-19 shot is complicating Connecticut lawmakers’ efforts to eliminate the state’s religious exemption from vaccines," 15 Dec. 2020 Since then, however, in parts of Africa and Asia, cases of cholera, diphtheria, and pertussis have risen, and a resurgence of measles and polio has caused greater concern. — Michael Specter, The New Yorker, "How the Fight Against COVID-19 Is Bringing About a Perilous Rise in Preventable Diseases in Poorer Nations," 4 Dec. 2020 Chinese citizens have reeled from a series of scandals over the past decade that include use of ineffective diphtheria, pertussis, and tetanus vaccines; improper records for a rabies vaccine; and sales of an expired polio vaccine. — Jon Cohen, Science | AAAS, "With global push for COVID-19 vaccines, China aims to win friends and cut deals," 25 Nov. 2020 Some researchers have hypothesized that a recent resurgence of pertussis—whooping cough, a respiratory bacterial infection—might be due to a switch to a new vaccine that doesn’t address asymptomatic transmission. — Adam Rogers, Wired, "Does the AstraZeneca Vaccine Also Stop Covid Transmission?," 25 Nov. 2020 Does Medicare cover the tetanus, diphtheria, and pertussis vaccine? — Courtney Schmidt, Health.com, "4 Vaccines You Should Consider if You (or a Loved One) Are Over 65," 14 Oct. 2020 Fewer children are receiving the vaccines for diseases, such as measles, mumps, rubella and pertussis. — Jessie Balmert, The Enquirer, "Live: Ohio Gov. Mike DeWine gives update as state passes 5,000 COVID-19 deaths," 13 Oct. 2020 After Hannah Bruesewitz was vaccinated for diphtheria, tetanus and pertussis in 1992, she was hospitalized for weeks with seizures, according to Oyez, a law project from Cornell’s Legal Information Institute. — Ella Lee, USA TODAY, "Fact check: Justice Ruth Bader Ginsburg's dissent in pharmaceutical case wasn't anti-vaccine," 27 Sep. 2020 The drop has been dramatic: In 2019, 84% of children worldwide had been vaccinated for diphtheria-tetanus-pertussis (DTP), a basic vaccination directly linked to reduction of childhood mortality. — Annalisa Merelli, Quartz, "Covid-19 has undone 25 years of global health progress in 25 weeks," 14 Sep. 2020

These example sentences are selected automatically from various online news sources to reflect current usage of the word 'pertussis.' Views expressed in the examples do not represent the opinion of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.

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Last Updated

29 Dec 2020

Cite this Entry

“Pertussis.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/pertussis. Accessed 17 Jan. 2021.

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