Child health · UKMLA & AKT
Whooping cough (pertussis)
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; spread by respiratory droplets
- Pertussis toxin prevents lymphocyte trafficking → lymphocytosis (classic FBC finding); tracheal cytotoxin destroys ciliated cells → impaired mucus clearance → paroxysmal coughing → inspiratory whoop
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