What's causing this cough????

My girlfriend has had this bad cough for about a week now.  It seems to be worse at night or when shes laying down.  I think she had this same thing a while back.  I'm trying to figure out if it's Asthma related, infection or what.  She will cough until she can't breath, weezes and makes a gurggle noise. Sometimes coughing up phlegm that is clearish white. She has had oral infections from absessed teeth but the doc have her meds last month.  She has complained about shortness of breath and chest tightening also.  I'm very confused!

[Maxy_pharma]

that may be pertusis, an infection with Bordetella pertussis,  
also sever periodontal infection (just as ludwig angina) may cause these symptoms