My baby has whooping cough

**Nickster** · 22-06-2006 08:45

I can't believe it. She's immunised, and yet she still has a mild case of whooping cough.

It started a few weeks ago, with what I believed to be a typical cold, with a runny nose and a mild fever, and a little cough at night. Nothing to worry about, you would think, just give her some dimetapp/panadol/Brauer's and keep her warm. But the coughing fit at night persisted and worsened, and she developed one during the day as well.

She was put on a mild antibiotic by a doctor we saw at a "you beaut" medical centre on Sunday, assuming it was just a chesty cough, but only diagnosed with whooping cough by our regular doctor yesterday and given a stronger antibiotic. Oh, and she had to endure a nasal swab at QML. Basically they stick a long tube down your baby's nose to the back of the throat and take a sample of mucus. While you are trying to hold down your screaming, crying baby, who doesn't understand what is going on.

My DH has also got it, only more severely, but he can deal with that. It's just hard seeing your little baby having a coughing fit where she gasps and struggles for air at the end of each cough. I can't imagine what a full-blown case would be like to endure - for the child or the parent.

I know immunisation is only about 80% effective, and we've been unlucky to catch it. And I am deeply embarrassed that I have unknowingly exposed her to the babies of friends (and fellow bubhubbers).

Having seen what she has gone through, and despite the fact that she caught this, and despite the fact that it is a mild case, I am so glad she is immunised. I know my thoughts might be controversial amongst the non-vaccinating parents here, but surely any high-fallutin' principles you have against immunisation would fly out the window seeing your baby in such distress?

So, all my friends out there, keep your fingers crossed that she gets better sooner rather than later.

**sopolicha** · 22-06-2006 09:01

Poor Nickster and poor Libby.

Here's to a speedy recovery.

You have nothing to feel embarrassed about, how were you to know?

Scary stuff, lucky we live in a country where you can get your child immunised for free, if that is your choice. Some aren't so lucky.

**StormAngel** · 22-06-2006 09:02

Sending you big

I hope she gets better soon, poor bubba!

**melfunction** · 22-06-2006 09:05

Nickster, thanks for the 'heads up'...

We cannot protect our kids from everything, no matter how hard we try.

Libby gets better soon.

**annsam** · 22-06-2006 13:32

Im so sorry to hear that! I too had whooping cough as a baby after being immunised. You can't blame yourself for what you did not know. You had every reason to expect that she was 'protected'.

**dannii** · 22-06-2006 21:55

aww you poor thing. its so sad when they get illnesses. i feel terrible when DD just has a cold! cant breathe throught their nose etc...
cant imagine what your going through.

I truely hope she gets better really soon!

for you!!

**reAllytee** · 22-06-2006 23:17

Oh dear

to you both.
I actually got whooping cough a few years ago so tell your hubby to keep an eye on it because my wasnt too bad at first then it hit really bad i was one of the worst cases the chest specialist had seen in ages as i ended up with pneumonia etc espcially for an adult. This has left me so i have to have the flu shot every year & i have to get immunised again soon also.
Anyways i know it must be hard watching her as i can remember how scared i felt even my mum slept in my room to make sure i was breathing of a nite.
Just give her lots of cuddles & kisses then just make sure if she isnt getting better you push for more to be done so she doesnt get worse.
Good luck hope she is better in no time.

**Rainbowbrite** · 23-06-2006 07:45

Hey Nickster,

To you & your bubby, hope she gets real better real quick

**rynosmum** · 23-06-2006 07:49

Nickster, the fact that she was immunised has probably been your saving grace. When immunised children pick up the illnesses they've been protected against, they generally get a much milder version - which is what she has.

Hugs for you, your little one and of course, DH.

I hope they recover very soon.

**suemp** · 23-06-2006 08:06

i was immunised as a child and still picked it up at about 18 months apparently a new strand of the disease was brought over from overseas so its totally against your control. i had it really bad needing hospitalisation but that is rare. i do remember growing up though my mother always made me wear a singlet as i could pick up colds easier due to it.

and

it passes quickly