During the second stage of pertussis, which symptom is NOT typically observed?

During the second stage of pertussis, which is characterized by paroxysmal coughing, symptoms that resemble those of a common cold are not typically observed. The second stage, also known as the paroxysmal stage, is defined by intense coughing paroxysms that can lead to complications such as a red or blue face due to the effort of coughing, can provoke vomiting, and is marked by a series of fits of coughing. These symptoms are quite different from those experienced during the initial catarrhal stage of the illness, which does resemble a common cold with mild respiratory symptoms.

In the second stage, the coughing becomes fits of intense episodes, rather than mild or moderate cough seen typically in a cold. This stark contrast highlights how the second stage significantly escalates in severity and differs markedly from early respiratory symptoms. Thus, the assertion that symptoms resemble those of a common cold does not apply during this stage of the illness.