Which of the following antibiotics is effective against whooping cough?

Azithromycin is effective against whooping cough, which is caused by the bacterium Bordetella pertussis. This antibiotic is a type of macrolide and works by inhibiting bacterial protein synthesis, thereby effectively reducing the number of bacteria in the respiratory tract and alleviating symptoms. Azithromycin is specifically recommended for treating whooping cough in both adults and children, as it helps to reduce the duration and severity of the illness and can also prevent the spread of the infection to others.

Other antibiotics, while they might be effective against various other bacterial infections, do not show the same efficacy for Bordetella pertussis. For instance, while amoxicillin is a penicillin-type antibiotic effective against certain infections, it is not the treatment of choice for whooping cough. Ciprofloxacin, a fluoroquinolone antibiotic, is also not recommended for this infection as it is generally reserved for different types of bacterial infections. Vancomycin is primarily used to treat serious infections caused by Gram-positive bacteria, particularly those resistant to other antibiotics, but it is not effective against whooping cough. Therefore, for treating this specific infection, azithromycin is the preferred antibiotic.