Which of the following is a common symptom of pertussis?

Pertussis, commonly known as whooping cough, is characterized by a distinctive cough that often begins as a mild, nonproductive cough. This nonproductive cough typically leads to severe coughing fits that can be followed by a characteristic “whoop” sound when the person inhales. This hallmark symptom helps differentiate pertussis from other respiratory infections.

A sore throat, while it can be present in respiratory infections, is not a primary symptom of pertussis. In pertussis, the cough becomes progressively worse rather than starting with a sore throat. High fever can occur, but it is usually mild, unlike the fever found in other infections. A body rash is not a common symptom associated with pertussis. Therefore, the nonproductive cough is central to diagnosing pertussis and serves as a key indicator of the disease.