Which bacterial disease causes uncontrollable, violent coughing?

• A. Pertussis
• B. Pneumonia
• C. Cystic Fibrosis
• D. Embolism

Answer: (A)

Uncontrollable, violent coughing fits point to pertussis, or whooping cough. This bacterial infection is caused by Bordetella pertussis, which releases toxins that damage the lining of the airways and hinder the normal clearing of mucus. The coughing comes in paroxysms—rapid, successive fits that can be so intense they provoke vomiting, and they often produce a distinctive whoop sound when the person inhales, especially in children. Vaccination with DTaP or Tdap greatly reduces risk and severity. Pneumonia can involve coughing but lacks the characteristic paroxysmal, post-tussive pattern and whoop; cystic fibrosis is a genetic condition with chronic mucus buildup, not a single infectious illness; embolism is a vascular event presenting with chest pain and breathlessness rather than a contagious coughing illness.