The article examines pertussis (whooping cough) among patients consulting general practitioners in Poland between 2009 and 2011. Using data from a prospective cohort study, we demonstrated that the disease is substantially underreported: the estimated incidence was 201.1 cases per 100,000 person‑years—approximately 61 times higher than figures captured by national surveillance. Adolescents aged 15–19 years experienced the highest incidence, whereas rates were lowest among adults aged 25–29 years. The findings underscore the need to strengthen surveillance and increase clinical awareness of pertussis beyond childhood, particularly in adult and elderly populations.
The study, conducted within a well‑funded and carefully prepared network of general practices, showed that while pertussis is diagnosed and reported relatively reliably in young children, it is frequently missed in older age groups. This gap has important public health implications, as adults—especially parents and grandparents—may unknowingly transmit a potentially fatal infection to newborns and infants before they are fully vaccinated.