Keuchhusten

The German word "Keuchhusten" is a noun that means "whooping cough".

• It is composed of two words:
  • Keuchen = "to gasp" or "to pant"
  • Husten = "cough"

So, it literally describes a type of cough characterized by gasping or whooping sounds.

Similar words:

• Husten (cough): a general term for cough.
• Bronchitis: inflammation of the bronchi often causing coughing.
• Lungenentzündung (pneumonia): a serious lung infection with cough among symptoms.

Difference:

• "Keuchhusten" specifically refers to the contagious bacterial infection with a characteristic whooping sound.
• Other terms either describe general symptoms or other respiratory diseases without the distinct whooping cough pattern.