Can you be a whooping cough carrier?

[Shananaaah]

Hi all,

It is possible that DH and DD may have whooping cough. They are being tested tomorrow with results not due until Monday.

My question is : DS and I do not have any symptoms ( DS has had all his immunizations up to and including 18 month shots) but I am worried - could we be carrying it and passing it on? DS has been to daycare in the last few weeks when I imagine the infection was at its worst in DH and DD (if they have it).

I know if they DO have it, we have to inform everybody (I believe the Health Dept gets involved also) but I don't know whether to send DS out of the house now ie to daycare on Monday or not? I don't want him exposed to all the germs but of course I don't want him PASSING it to anyone else either!!

I can't find any info on the net about being a "Carrier". Does anyone have any idea?

Thanks

[Sheer Bliss]

There is a thread in the immunisation section about the passing on of whooping cough...asking others about their immunity status. From what I gather - parents are often the ones that pass whopping cough onto their babies. They may only show the symptoms of a common cold, and not realise they actually have whooping cough, sames as any stranger in the street - they may be carrying it without even being aware.

For this reason - my sis has suggested that all of us in my family have a booster before my twins are born....my other babies were born at 36weeks due to PE, so the twins might b early too, and since that may put them at more risk, the family will have boosters, and i'll have to wait until after they are born to have mine.

[reAllytee]

Yep adults tend to be the carriers but then many get WC & just dont realise it because not everyone 'whoops'.

I am suprised they arent testing you all

And yes the health dept will be involved as its something that needs to be reported.

[Shananaaah]

We've been told that if anyone has it, we ALL get treated for it regardless. So I guess that's why their not testing us all.

Also just wanted to add - I am not going to send DS to daycare with the possible risk of infecting anyone else. I just feel so sorry for the poor little guy - his sister was ill last week and then DH became ill later this week and DS has really been neglected as I have to rush around looking after the other two. I just thought if he was "Safe" (IYKWIM) a day out of the house would do him good.

Will try to get DD and DH asleep at the same time and take DS down to the park!!

[reAllytee]

We've been told that if anyone has it, we ALL get treated for it regardless. So I guess that's why their not testing us all.

Also just wanted to add - I am not going to send DS to daycare with the possible risk of infecting anyone else. I just feel so sorry for the poor little guy - his sister was ill last week and then DH became ill later this week and DS has really been neglected as I have to rush around looking after the other two. I just thought if he was "Safe" (IYKWIM) a day out of the house would do him good.

Will try to get DD and DH asleep at the same time and take DS down to the park!!

I hate to be a big meanie but please be careful doing even this because you may be carrying it so this means you could pass it on to whoever when out & about.

When my cousins daughter was formally diagnosed with it a few dyas after we visited with them we were quarantined for 2wks ( this is the incubation period ) ... Nearly killed me but we did it to make sure we didnt pass it onto anyone especially a newborn or pg woman.

G who was at greatest risk only being 4mths & unable to have any more vax's due to reactions was monitored regularily by our g.p via house calls etc ... I was furious that he was put in harms way when they knowingly knew she could have had WC.

So please be careful where you go at this point.

Good luck I really hope your little girl & hubby are feeling better soon !