Reviews

Shelby, Shelby - 01/14/2014

Great questions Jen. Since you asked, here is a bit more info!The push to vcnicaate is for your entire family! Pertussis (whooping cough) is a very contagious disease caused by a type of bacteria called Bordetella pertussis. Among vaccine-preventable diseases, pertussis is one of the most commonly occurring ones in the United States. Protection from the childhood vaccine fades over time, so adolescents and adults need to be revaccinated, even if they were completely vcnicaated as children. So, yes, dads should get the vaccine too!Also, pertussis vaccines are very effective but not 100% effective. If pertussis is circulating in the community, there is still a chance that a fully vcnicaated person can catch this very contagious disease. When you or your child develops a cold that includes a prolonged or severe cough, it may be pertussis. The best way to know is to contact your doctor.Pertussis Symptoms:The disease starts like the common cold, with runny nose or congestion, sneezing, and maybe mild cough or fever.After 1–2 weeks, severe coughing begins. Infants and children with the disease cough violently and rapidly, over and over, until the air is gone from their lungs and they're forced to inhale with a loud whooping sound. Pertussis is most severe for babies; more than half of infants less than 1 year of age who get the disease must be hospitalized. About 1 in 5 infants with pertussis get pneumonia (lung infection), and about 1 in 100 will have convulsions. In rare cases (1 in 100), pertussis can be deadly, especially in infants.How Pertussis Spreads:People with pertussis usually spread the disease by coughing or sneezing while in close contact with others, who then breathe in the pertussis bacteria. Many infants who get pertussis are infected by parents, older siblings, or other caregivers who might not even know they have the disease. Since the 1980s, there's been an increase in the number of cases of pertussis, especially among teens (10–19 years of age) and babies less than 6 months of age. In 2008 there were more than 13,000 reported cases including 18 deaths from pertussis nationally.Preventing Pertussis:The best way to prevent pertussis is to get vcnicaated. Parents can also help protect infants by keeping them away as much as possible from anyone who has cold symptoms or is coughing. Vaccine protection for pertussis, tetanus, and diphtheria can fade with time. Before 2005, the only booster vaccine available contained tetanus and diphtheria (called Td), and was recommended for adolescents and adults every 10 years. Adults who didn't get Tdap as a pre-teen or teen should get one dose of Tdap instead of the Td booster. If you have any questions or concerns, please consult with your doctor!Thanks for reading and have a great day!Geoff