Pertussis - Whooping Cough

[ninahbear]

Can anyone tell me what they know about whooping cough? My children (DS 2 almost 3 and DD 4 months) were to the doctor on Wednesday for well visits. On Friday I received a call from the office saying there was a child in the office the same time we were who was diagnosed with pertusssis. They just wanted to let us know and to call if my DS has the symptoms. The next morning he had a dry cough which is a symptom so I called the office and they prescribed an antibiotic. I am just a little confused - I researched and to me it seems like I should be more concerned about my DD than my son since he is fully vaccinated. Does anyone know anything about this?

 

[Bob P]

Here is a good resource:

http://www.kidshealth.org/parent/infections/bacterial_viral/whooping_cough.html

 

[Kimmumum]

I don't know much about it but my 9yo neighbor had it last fall for about 2 months. He sounded like he was barking. I felt sooo bad for him. There really wasn't much they could do other than antibiotics. Their doctor said there are only a small number of kids that get it nowadays since they all get their shots. But my neighbor did get it anyway and sounded horrible. He is fine now.

 

[5 for WDW]

I had Whooping Cough last winter. My Dr told me that it is not uncommon to see it more now since an adults immunity can wear off and there are some children that are not vaccinated for it. I had to get a booster shot after I finally got over it.

The cough is very distinct. It does resemble a croup cough to a degree (seal bark) but, it is a very repetitve cough with an audible whoop sound..kind of like a loud wheeze. When I would get into a coughing fit (that is really the way to describe it) it would go on for a few minutes at a time and you can not stop coughing. No fun at all. You almost sound like you are choking or can't catch your breath..which you can't because you are coughing so much.

I was put on antibiotics for two weeks and had to stay away from my kids as much as I could. That was really easy I tell you. I literally wore a hospital mask around them for the two weeks I was on the medication. I am asthmatic so, they had me doing albuterol treatments with my nebulizer instead of my inhaler.

I really felt like I had been hit by a bus for a few weeks after the cough finally went away. I had the cough for three weeks. Most severe for two weeks. I had to stay in bed and rest and my entire body ached. It was really awful. I would not wish it on anybody.

I am glad they put your son on antibiotics. Make sure you keep an eye on all of you. Whooping cough is highly contagious if you are close enough to someone with it.

Another thing worth mentioning for this time of year. My DD had RSV when she was 4 months old and was hospitalized for 4 days. She was never in day care and was home with me all the time. We have no idea where she got it. The kids could have brought a virus home, the grocery store, etc. I never even knew what RSV was until she had it. After that, I was even more cautious with her. Hand washing more, avoiding anyone with even the slightest cold, especially in the Ped's office. I would tell the receptionist that if it was going to be awhile that I would wait in the hallway outside of the office and they could come and get me when it was time to see the Dr. I was not nasty about it and after I told them why they were very understanding. I hated waiting in the waiting room with all of the poor kids sick and being near by DD. I know I sound paranoid and I am not trying to scare anyone. I just would hope that reminding one person could help to avoid them going through what we went through with our DD. It was a really scary 4 days.

Btw...DD is 4 now and besides having asthma like her Mama, is a wonderfully happy and healthy little girl. Thank goodness!!

 

[Whosemom]

Maybe they thought you were holding the baby while the child was more likely to touch things?

My little guy had RSV at 12 weeks and they tested him for whooping cough before sending us to the hospital. Just because they TESTED him (and the results weren't back) they kept us in quarentine for the 3 days he was in the hospital. I had to wear a mask when I left the room and everyone else had to wear one coming in.

I do think its one of those things like scarlet fever. In old stories (little house, etc), pioneer kids were always dying or near death, so thats in our collective concious. But those times were before antibiotics and everything will be OK.