A member asked:

What does a whooping cough actually sound like?

4 doctors weighed in across 2 answers

A seal barking: The whoop of whooping cough is caused by a rapid rush of air into a flexable baby windpipe. The closest sound in nature is a seal barking, which is produced as they force air out and vibrate their windpipe.

Answered 10/10/2015

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"Paroxysmal":: Very rapid cough-cough-cough-cough-cough [many many times without taking a breath] - then, running out of air, a huge gasping intake of breath that sounds like a "whoop" (hence the name). Then, almost instantly, starting over.

Answered 12/11/2013

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