parapertussis /per′əpərtus″is/ [Gk, para + L, per, very, tussis, cough] , an acute bacterial respiratory infection caused by Bordetella parapertussis, having symptoms closely resembling those of pertussis. It is usually milder than pertussis, although it can be fatal. It is possible to be infected with both B. parapertussis and B. pertussis at the same time. A parapertussis vaccine is available and may be given in combination with pertussis vaccine.
