By: Shreya Doshi, MD, MBBS Whooping cough, or pertussis, is a highly contagious respiratory infection. It is caused by bacteria called Bordetella pertussis . The infection attacks the lining of the breathing passages. People can get whooping cough any time of year, but generally infections are seen in late summer and fall. Symptoms of whooping cough vary based age, medical conditions and whether the child is vaccinated against the disease. A main sign is strong coughing. Between coughs,