Questions and Answers
Which bacterium is responsible for causing whooping cough?
What characterizes the cough associated with whooping cough?
How is Bordetella pertussis primarily transmitted?
In which population is whooping cough primarily considered a disease?
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What type of microorganism is Bordetella pertussis classified as?
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Study Notes
Whooping Cough Overview
- Acute and highly communicable respiratory illness characterized by severe coughing fits, often resulting in a distinctive "whoop" sound upon inhalation.
- Primarily affects children, although it can occur in individuals of all ages.
Causative Agent
- Bordetella pertussis is the responsible bacterium; it is a small, gram-negative coccobacillus.
- Highly infectious, B. pertussis spreads mainly through respiratory droplets from infected individuals.
Transmission
- Transmitted from person to person, primarily through inhalation of aerosolized particles when an infected person coughs or sneezes.
- The contagious nature emphasizes the importance of vaccination and herd immunity in controlling spread.
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Description
This quiz focuses on whooping cough, an acute and highly communicable illness characterized by violent coughing fits followed by a distinctive 'whoop' sound during inhalation. The illness is caused by the bacterium Bordetella pertussis. Students will test their knowledge on its pathology, symptoms, and treatment.
