[Pertussis--not only a childhood disease].

Whouping cough (pertussis) is a highly contagious respiratory illness of humans that is caused predominantly by the gram-negative bacterial pathogen Bordetella pertussis. The disease shows a variety of symptoms, dependent on the patients' age and immunity. During the last years, the pertussis incidence has increased in several parts of the world. There has been a shift in the epidemiology of disease, with more cases reported in older age groups, specifically adolescents and adults. Macrolides are regarded to be the treatment of choice for the management of B. pertussis infections. Active immunization with whole cell and in particular acellular vaccines is the mainstay for prevention of disease.