👉 Pertussis, also known as whooping cough, is a contagious respiratory illness caused by the bacterium Streptococcus pyogenes. It can be spread through close contact with an infected person or animal, such as coughing, sneezing, or touching contaminated surfaces. The symptoms of pertussis include: 1. High fever 2. Coughing and difficulty breathing 3. Sore throat 4. Wheezing (muscle spasms) 5.
