whooping cough
Học thuậtThân thiện
Definition
- Noun:
- An infectious bacterial disease of the respiratory tract: "Whooping cough" is a serious, highly contagious illness caused by the bacterium Bordetella pertussis. It is characterized by severe, uncontrollable coughing fits that often end with a high-pitched "whoop" sound when the person inhales.
Usage
- "Whooping cough" is used as a non-count noun to name the disease itself. It is commonly discussed in medical, public health, and parental contexts.
- Example:
- Example:
Examples
- Noun:
- Public health officials are concerned about an outbreak of whooping cough in the community.
- The characteristic symptom of whooping cough is a paroxysmal cough followed by a whooping sound.
Advanced Usage
- "to contract whooping cough": to become infected with the disease.
- Despite being vaccinated, some children can still contract a mild case of whooping cough.
- "whooping cough vaccine/immunization": referring to the preventive medical treatment.
- The whooping cough vaccine is typically administered in combination with vaccines for diphtheria and tetanus.
Variants and Related Words
- Pertussis (n): The medical, scientific term for whooping cough. This term is used in formal medical contexts.
- The doctor diagnosed the patient with pertussis.
Synonyms
- Pertussis: The direct medical synonym.
Related Phrases
- "The hundred-day cough": An informal, descriptive name for whooping cough, referring to its long duration.
- In some cultures, whooping cough is known as "the hundred-day cough" because it can last for weeks.
Noun
- a disease of the respiratory mucous membrane