Overview 1, 2, 3, 4, 5 Pertussis is a highly communicable, vaccine-preventable disease that affects the respiratory tract. The illness is caused by Bordetella pertussis (B. pertussis) bacteria, for which humans are the only known natural reservoir.verview 1, 2, 3, 4, 5 Pertussis is a highly communicable, vaccine-preventable disease that affects the respiratory tract. The illness is caused by Bordetella pertussis (B. pertussis) bacteria, for which humans are the only known natural reservoir.
Often, cramps. 1  a sudden, involuntary, spasmodic contraction of a muscle or group of muscles, especially of the extremities, sometimes with severe pain. 2  a piercing pain in the abdomen.
1. harry, hector, vex, distress, agonize. T orment , rack , torture suggest causing great physical or mental pain, suffering, or harassment. T o torment is to afflict or harass as by incessant repetition of vexations or annoyances: to be tormented by doubts. T o rack is to affect with such pain as that suffered by one stretched on a rack; to concentrate with painful effort: to rack one's brains. T o torture is to afflict with acute and more or less protracted suffering: to torture one by keeping one in suspense. 2. plague, pester, tease, provoke, needle, trouble, fret.