Pertussis is a highly contagious disease, meaning that:

1. It is a disease that is acquired via the placenta.
2. It is a disease that can be easily transmitted from one host to another.
3. It is a disease that is not easily transmitted from one host to another.
4. It is a disease that is acquired by inhaling the pathogen.
5. It is a disease caused by an opportunistic pathogen.

Pertussis, commonly known as whooping cough, is a highly contagious disease caused by the Bordetella pertussis. It's transmitted through droplets from an infected person, with severe coughing as a primary symptom. Antibiotics and specific vaccines can be used for treatment and prevention.

Explanation:

Pertussis, also known as whooping cough, is caused by Bordetella pertussis, a gram-negative coccobacillus. It's a highly contagious disease easily transmitted from one host to another predominantly through inhalation of droplets from an infected individual, therefore pertussis shows the characteristics of option 2 and 4 in your question. The major symptom of pertussis is severe coughing followed by a 'whooping' sound upon inhalation as the inflicted person attempts to breathe through the inflamed and restricted airway. This coughing fits helps in the transmission of the disease. It often begins mildly with symptoms like nasal congestion, a runny nose, and a low-grade fever but these symptoms get severe with time. Antibiotics can help with the symptoms and control the transmission of pertussis. Vaccines such as DTaP and Tdap are also used to prevent this disease. Despite these measures, outbreaks are still frequent due to its contagious nature.

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