http://www.dal.ca
http://www.usask.ca
http://www.ubc.ca
http://www.nce.gc.ca
http://www.nce.gc.ca/cecrs_e.htm
http://centerforvaccinology.dal.ca
http://www.bccdc.org
http://www.vido.org
http://www.iwk.nshealth.ca
Pertussis (or Whooping Cough), is an infection of the respiratory system characterized by a "whooping" sound when the person breathes in. It is spread by coughing and nasal drops, and in the US it killed 5,000 to 10,000 people per year before a vaccine was available. Vaccination has transformed this and between 1985-88 fewer than 100 children in the US died from pertussis. The photo above is a gram stain of the bacteria Bordetella pertussis.
Source: Public Health Image Library (PHIL), Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, United States Department of Health and Human Services.
Immunization:
Inoculation and Vaccination
Inoculation (also known as variolation) was introduced to the west by Lady Mary Wortley Montagu (1689-1762), who witnessed inoculation being
practiced by physicians in Constantinople,[12] and was greatly impressed:[13] she had lost a brother to smallpox and bore facial scars from the disease herself. In 1718 she had the embassy surgeon inoculate her son, and in 1721, after returning to England, had her daughter inoculated[14]. In 1722 the Prince of Wales' daughters received inoculations[16].
The practice of inoculation slowly spread amongst the royal families of Europe, followed by general adoption amongst the rest of the population. Given the severe consequences of smallpox in Europe in the 18th century, many parents felt that the benefits outweighed the risks and so inoculated their children.[21] [22]