Pertussis, also known as whooping cough, is caused by the bacteria Bordetella pertussis. It is endemic and occurs in epidemics every 3-4 years, peaking in summer and fall. It is highly contagious and spreads through airborne droplets. Clinical features include an initial catarrhal stage with mild cough followed by paroxysmal stage with repetitive coughing fits and a characteristic whoop. Diagnosis is based on clinical presentation and can be confirmed with lab tests like lymphocytosis, ELISA detecting antibodies to pertussis antigens, or DNA probe/PCR on secretions.