General practice & prim · UKMLA & AKT
Whooping cough
A free high-yield preview for the UKMLA Applied Knowledge Test. Below are the key points to recognise whooping cough — the full SA Note notes add investigations, management, complications and 10 practice questions.
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)
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