The Cough Chronicles
This is the common name for pertussis, inspired by the sound patients make during severe coughing fits.
What is whooping cough?
Clue: If you get a nasty bout of stomach cramps and bloody diarrhea after playing with a new puppy, this 15-letter bacterial infection is likely the culprit.
What is campylobacteriosis?
Though its scientific name is coccidioidomycosis, this soil-dwelling fungal infection is much better known by this geography-inspired name.
What is Valley Fever (or Cocci)?
Scientifically known as rubeola, this highly contagious viral disease is famous for its distinctive red, body-wide rash.
What is measles?
While it's occasionally spread through farm animal contact, this foodborne powerhouse is famous for hitching a ride on raw eggs and undercooked chicken.
What is Salmonella (or salmonellosis)?
To diagnose pertussis, this specific laboratory test type is considered to the medical "gold standard."
What is a culture?
Because it sneaks into humans directly from animals or unpasteurized dairy, this infection is classified as this type of "animal-to-human" disease.
What is a zoonotic disease?
If you are visiting a dusty construction or excavation site, the document strongly recommends protecting your lungs with this specific type of mask.
What is an N95 mask?
The measles virus is an absolute powerhouse in the air, remaining fully infectious in an empty room for up to this many hours after an infected person leaves.
What is two hours?
Though it can strike in less than a day, Salmonella has a highly unpredictable incubation period that can stretch up to this many days.
What is 6 days?
The common incubation period for pertussis falls within this specific range of days.
What is 7 to 10 days.
If you accidentally drink contaminated water on a weekend camping trip, you can expect this exact range of days to pass before the stomach cramps hit.
What is two to five days?
Don't blame a bacteria or a virus! This specific type of organism is the true culprit behind Valley Fever.
What is a fungus?
To stop the airborne spread, public health guidelines state an infected individual must be isolated for this many days after their rash breaks out.
What is four days?
A staggering 94% of all Salmonella infections are acquired by consuming contaminated food or this other vital resource.
What is water?
While adults receive the Tdap vaccine, this specific vaccine formulation is given to babies and children under 7.
What is DTaP?
While you might want to blame a winter flu, you are statistically far more likely to contract campylobacteriosis during this sun-soaked season.
What is summer?
In a lucky twist for most, this exact percentage of people who contract a Cocci infection show absolutely zero symptoms and fight it off naturally.
What is 60%?
If a measles patient enters a room of ten unvaccinated or susceptible people, this staggering number of them will statistically catch the virus.
What is nine?
While raw meats and unpasteurized milk are obvious culprits, Salmonella also sneaks into plant-based kitchens via grains, fruits, and this baking staple.
What is flour?
Because it doesn't help and can be risky, cough medicine is generally not recommended for children under this specific age.
What is 4 years old?
In rare, terrifying cases, a Campylobacter infection can trigger this specific autoimmune syndrome that causes temporary muscle weakness or paralysis.
What is Guillain-Barré syndrome?
While standard infections cause lung issues, the severe, spreading form that travels throughout the body is known by this medical term.
What is disseminated disease?
The standard MMR vaccine tackles measles, mumps, and rubella, but the advanced combination vaccine adds a fourth target to protect kids against this itchy disease.
What is varicella (or chickenpox)?
Don't reach for the pharmacy cabinet too quickly; because Salmonella is generally this type of medical condition, it resolves on its own without specific treatment.
What is self-limited?