Niki - posted on 07/30/2010 ( 5 moms have responded )
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I keep hearing about this whooing cough epidemic. My mom said there have been some babies that have passed away from it in Los Angeles. How dangerous is this? My little boy is almost 4 now. Do you think he is at risk? Does he need a vaccination for it? How about me, I am 21 weeks pregnant. Should I get vaccinated? I am so confussued. Any suggestions out there?
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Iridescent - posted on 08/04/2010
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Very dangerous. Transmission rate is 80-90%, which is huge. This means if he is exposed in any way, once, there is an 80% chance for him to develop it. http://emedicine.medscape.com/article/80...
Infectious period averages 6 weeks. This is terribly long! During this time, he would be so sick he cannot eat because he cannot breathe due to the coughing. This is one reason so many die.
If caught very early, antibiotics can be given but they do NOT help the outcome. They can shorten how long the infectious period lasts, but not lessen how severe it is overall.
The cough itself cannot be effectively treated by any medication. Efforts have been made and are still unsuccessful.
76% of those that are infected with Pertussis have very serious side effects. 63% require hospitalization, 12% develop pneumonia, 1% develop seizures. http://www.cdc.gov/mmwr/preview/mmwrhtml...
The rate of death depends on where you live, how soon it is treated and how effective the treatment is. It ranges from 0.2% to 50% of all cases, depending on these factors (best case to worst).
Emma - posted on 08/04/2010
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Here in Australia they give the whooping cough immunization to parents of newborns as well as the usual immunizations at 2,4 and 6 months for bubs. It's a terrible illness, that is potentially fatal. I got the shot a week or two after having my youngest who is 8 weeks, better to be safe than sorry:)
Laura - posted on 07/30/2010
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It has always shocked me about vaccines in the states... In Canada all vaccines except Gardasil are free.
Whooping cough is potentially fatal to small children especially babies. You should get the vaccine as should your 4-year-old, cause he could easily get it at daycare or school and bring it home to your which could infect you baby when its born.
Keri - posted on 07/30/2010
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I would talk to your doctor about you getting the vaccine. They may not be able to get one at this point in your pregnancy. As for your son I don't know. I know it is very dangerous for babies to get whooping cough, but I am not sure about older children. I again would talk to your doctor about it.
Jodi - posted on 07/30/2010
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Did he have his vaccinations as a baby?
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