Cough Whooping cough 2017-08-12T13:22:51Z The term whooping cough is usually used to describe the disease caused by infection of the respiratory tract with Bordatella pertussis. This HPO term refers to the major symptom of that disease. A type of cough characterized by a burst of numerous and rapid coughs followed by a long inhaling effort that is accompanied by a high-pitched whooping sound produced by the inhalation of air.