Pertussis symptoms

1. Cough: The most typical symptom of pertussis is a persistent cough, which may gradually worsen and become more pronounced at night. As the disease progresses, the cough may intensify and occur in paroxysmal, spasmodic episodes. 2. Whooping sound during inhalation: At the end of a coughing episode, patients may produce a characteristic high-pitched "whoop" sound when inhaling. 3. Facial changes: During coughing episodes, patients may display signs of distress, such as wide-open eyes, facial flushing, and cyanosis of the lips. 4. Difficulty breathing: In severe cases, patients may experience difficulty breathing, especially during coughing fits.