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tosferina means whooping cough — a common term in Medical Spanish. Learn how it's used in a real-world example.

📅 Published: December 18, 2025

🩺 Medical Spanish

tosferina

noun • /[tos-fe-REE-na]/

whooping cough

Example:

La tosferina es altamente contagiosa.

Whooping cough is highly contagious.

🧠 What does tosferina mean?

Tosferina refers to whooping cough, a highly contagious bacterial infection of the respiratory system. It is characterized by severe, uncontrollable coughing fits, often followed by a high-pitched 'whooping' sound when the person inhales. The medical term for this illness is 'pertussis'.

📚 Extra examples

  • La vacuna DTPa protege a los niños contra la difteria, el tétanos y la tosferina.
    The DTaP vaccine protects children against diphtheria, tetanus, and whooping cough.
  • El médico sospechó que el paciente tenía tosferina debido a la naturaleza de su tos.
    The doctor suspected the patient had whooping cough due to the nature of his cough.
  • La tosferina puede ser especialmente peligrosa para los bebés menores de un año.
    Whooping cough can be especially dangerous for infants under one year old.

💡 Did You Know?

The name 'tosferina' comes from the Latin 'tussis' (cough) and 'ferīnus' (wild, fierce), literally meaning 'fierce cough'. This name aptly describes the violent coughing fits that are the primary symptom of the illness.

🔁 Synonyms & opposites of "tosferina"

Synonyms: pertussis, tos convulsiva, coqueluche

🔍 See more medical spanish words

❓ FAQ

How do you say 'whooping cough' in Spanish?
The Spanish word for 'whooping cough' is 'tosferina'. The more technical medical term, 'pertussis', is also used and understood.
How do you pronounce 'tosferina' in Spanish?
In Spanish, 'tosferina' is pronounced: tos-fe-RI-na. The stress falls on the third syllable, '-ri-'.
How do you use 'tosferina' in a sentence?
An example is: 'La tosferina es una enfermedad prevenible mediante la vacunación.' (Whooping cough is a vaccine-preventable disease.)
What is the English translation of 'tosferina'?
The English translation of 'tosferina' is 'whooping cough'. Its clinical name is 'pertussis'.
Does 'tosferina' change for gender or number?
No, 'tosferina' is a feminine, singular noun that does not change. As the name of a disease, it is always used in the singular form, 'la tosferina'.
Is 'tosferina' common in everyday Spanish?
The word 'tosferina' is specific to medical and public health contexts. While widely understood, it is not used in general daily conversation unless discussing the illness itself.
Does 'tosferina' have slang or double meanings?
No, 'tosferina' is a specific medical term and does not have any slang meanings or alternative interpretations.
Is 'tosferina' used differently in Spain vs Latin America?
The term 'tosferina' is standard and uniformly understood throughout the Spanish-speaking world, including Spain and all of Latin America. There are no significant regional variations for this word.

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