Sharon Moulton, age 14, of Henderson, Nev., for his question:

WHY DOES A PERSON GET WHOOPING COUGH?

Whooping cough is a disease of the breathing system, which is made up of she larynx, trachea and bronchi. A person gets whooping cough when he is struck by a rodlike germ called a bacillus.

Whooping cough i$ a contagious disease that is most often experienced by children under age 10. Winter and early spring is the time most children get the disease. It hits a week or two after contact with the germ is made.

Severe coughing lasts about two weeks. The cough comes in sudden spells, making it hard to breathe. Sometimes vomiting and a loss of weight are caused by the loss of fluid from the body.

Some cases of whooping cough are mild, especially if the child has been vaccinated. Doctors often recommend antibiotics.

Most patients get well and sever have a second infection.