Final answer:
Whooping cough, also known as pertussis, can be diagnosed through various tests such as PCR techniques and ELISA. Cultures obtained from throat swabs can also be used to confirm the diagnosis.
Step-by-step explanation:
Whooping cough, also known as pertussis, can be diagnosed through various tests. Within the first month of infection, PCR techniques can be used to detect the presence of the causative agent, namely Bordetella pertussis. During the later stages of infection, pertussis-specific antibodies can be detected through an enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA). Cultures obtained from throat swabs can also be used to confirm the diagnosis.