Whooping Cough

[reAllytee]

Has anyone had their little one get it ?

If so how long from the time they got their flu symptoms did the cough really become apparent ?

Did they only need rest or did they need medical treatment ?

Im curious because when i had it back in '01 it took a few weeks before it really hit hard before that it was just like i had the flu & i didnt even have a cough. This is pretty typical of the illness really.

My boys are sick & were exposed to it last weekend & are now coughing so we are hoping things dont get serious enough to warrant a hospital trip but im curious about other experiences. Im also showing the signs again which is just awesome !!!

[bubs_and_us]

oh no, lets hope its just a cough, and not whooping cough.... :hugs:

[Kizmet]

oh hun i hope it isnt whooping cough :hugs::hugs::hugs::hugs::hugs::hugs:

[dragonflyblu]

When I had it the doctor gave me the tablets to take before the test results came back. Not sure how this is for children but maybe go to the doctor and get the perscription and blood test anyway?

[reAllytee]

The tablets you probably got were either antibiotics which are really of no use or steriods which i dont really want to give them unless necessary.

I ended up being on lots of different meds cause i was so horrendously sick with it but im really hoping the kidlets dont get it too bad :fingerscrossed:


Boof only has a runny nose now & the cough has stopped for now which doesnt mean he is over it yet unfortunately but in the next few days we will see what happens.

Squeak on the other hand is getting rather chesty *sigh*

[dragonflyblu]

oh allyoo I hope squeak is okay. You are right about the steriods, I really didnt think about that!

[forbetoel]

My neice had it when she was 8 weeks old. The poor little thing is fine now, but at the time it was quite scary, watching a little tiny baby choking and turning blue in front of you every 10-20 minutes is scary, very scary. She was in hospital for about a week, but was still sick for a couple of months.

[secondtimearound2]

Oh Darls I hope it isn't whooping cough :hugs:.

Are the boys feeling better today??

You prolly know all this....but here is some info

Pertussis (Whooping Cough)


Last updated: 19 September 2006

What is the pertussis?

Pertussis (or whooping cough) is a disease caused by infection of the throat with the bacteria Bordetella pertussis.
What are the symptoms?

• Pertussis usually begins just like a cold, with a runny nose, tiredness and sometimes a mild fever.
• Coughing then develops, usually in bouts, followed by a deep gasp (or "whoop"). Sometimes people vomit after coughing.
• Pertussis can be very serious in small children. They might go blue or stop breathing during coughing attacks and may need to go to the hospital.
• Older children and adults may have a less serious illness, with bouts of coughing that continue for many weeks regardless of treatment.
How is it spread?

Pertussis is spread to other people by droplets from coughing or sneezing. Untreated, a person with pertussis can spread it to other people for up to three weeks after onset of cough.
The time between exposure and getting sick is usually seven to ten days, but can be up to three weeks.
Who is at risk?

• Anyone can get pertussis.
• People living in the same household as someone with pertussis are more likely to catch it.
• Immunisation greatly reduces your risk of infection, but reinfection can occur.
How is it prevented?

Immunise your child on time
• The vaccine does not give lifelong protection against pertussis, and protection is sometimes incomplete.
• Children need to be immunised at two, four and six months.
• Boosters are needed at four years of age and again at 15 years of age.
• Immunisation is available through general practitioners and some local councils.
Keep your baby away from people who cough
• Babies need two or three vaccinations before they are protected. For this reason, it is very important to keep people with coughing illnesses away from your baby so they don't pass on pertussis or other germs.
Get immunised if you are an adult in close contact with small children
A vaccine for adults is available. It is recommended:
• For both parents when planning a pregnancy, or as soon as the baby is born
• For adults working with young children, especially health care and child care workers.
If you are a close contact of someone with pertussis...
• ... watch out for the symptoms. If symptoms develop, see your doctor, take this factsheet with you and mention your contact with pertussis.
• Some close contacts at high risk (e.g., children under one year, children not fully vaccinated, and women at the end of their pregnancy) and others who live or work with high-risk people may need to take antibiotics to prevent infection.
If you have pertussis:
• Get treated early While infectious, avoid other people and stay away from young children, e.g., at child care centres, pre-school and school
How is it diagnosed?

If a doctor thinks someone has pertussis, a swab from the back of the nose, or a blood test may be done to help confirm the diagnosis.
How is it treated?

A special antibiotic - usually either erythromycin or clarithromycin - taken for seven days is used to treat pertussis. These antibiotics can prevent the spread of the germ to other people.
Coughing often continues for many weeks despite treatment.
What is the public health response?

Doctors and laboratories must confidentially notify cases of pertussis to the local Public Health Unit. Public Health Unit staff can advise on the best way to stop further spread.
Infectious children are restricted from going to pre-school and school. Unimmunised contacts may be excluded from child care unless they take the special antibiotics.
Further information - Public Health Units in NSW

For more information please contact your doctor, local public health unit or community health centre - look under NSW Government at the front of the White PagesMetropolitan Areas

Location

Number

Rural Areas

Location

Number

Northern Sydney/Central CoastHornsby02 9477 9400Greater SouthernGoulburn02 4824 1837 Gosford02 4349 4845 Albury02 6080 8900South Eastern Sydney/IllawarraRandwick02 9382 8333Greater WesternBroken Hill08 8080 1499 Wollongong02 4221 6700 Dubbo02 6841 5569Sydney South WestCamperdown02 9515 9420 Bathurst02 6339 5601Sydney WestPenrith02 4734 2022Hunter/New EnglandNewcastle02 4924 6477 Parramatta02 9840 3603 Tamworth02 6767 8630Justice Health ServiceMatraville02 9311 2707North CoastPort Macquarie02 6588 2750 Lismore02 6620 7500See full details of Public Health Units at
www.health.nsw.gov.au/public-health/phus/phus.html (http://www.health.nsw.gov.au/public-health/phus/phus.html)