General practice & primary care · UKMLA & AKT

Whooping cough

A free high-yield preview for the UKMLA Applied Knowledge Test, covering how to recognise this condition. The full SA Note notes add investigations, management and complications, with practice questions on this topic.

Key high-yield points

  • Caused by Bordetella pertussis - gram-negative coccobacillus; transmitted via respiratory droplets; secondary attack rate up to 90% in unimmunised contacts
  • Incubation 7-10 days (range 5-21 days)
  • Most serious disease and death in infants under 6 months (too young to complete primary vaccination)

Unlock the full Whooping cough revision

Get the complete high-yield notes (6 more sections covering investigations, management and complications), practice questions, mock exams and Sal, the AI tutor. Start free.

Related UKMLA topics