High White blood cell count persistent cough for a month?

32 yr old lady just admitted to hospital has persistent cough for anmonth that hasn't responded to oral antibiotics and steriods. Clear sputum with tiny brown specks in it. Loses breath with cough as so severe. Doctor first thought whooping cough was cause now doctors are running other blood tests. Nothing major showed on chest xray that's all that was said about that. Ex smoker smokes for 15 years. Does this sound serious???