Whooping cough in 2yr old - what should I do for newborn??????

[Li27]

My unvaxed 2 and a half year old has symptoms of whooping cough - she's had mild cold-like symptoms for a week and now last night had a brutal cough with whooping - some trouble catching her breath for a few coughs in a row. The fits lasted about 45 minutes. I'm doing sodium ascorbate for her - and cod liver oil. Going to get some garlic.

My questions are in regards to my two-MONTH old! She has recently been sneezing and I'm trying not to freak out about this.

1) What should I do for her?

2) Should I get my older daugther tested? If it IS whooping cough, should I start antibiotics for my infant? (This is supposed to lessen the severity of symptoms?). Or should I just get her antibiotics right away?

Or no antibiotics?

Help! Any and all advice is welcome.

[Marnica]

Originally Posted by Li27

My unvaxed 2 and a half year old has symptoms of whooping cough - she's had mild cold-like symptoms for a week and now last night had a brutal cough with whooping - some trouble catching her breath for a few coughs in a row. The fits lasted about 45 minutes. I'm doing sodium ascorbate for her - and cod liver oil. Going to get some garlic.

My questions are in regards to my two-MONTH old! She has recently been sneezing and I'm trying not to freak out about this.

1) What should I do for her?

2) Should I get my older daugther tested? If it IS whooping cough, should I start antibiotics for my infant? (This is supposed to lessen the severity of symptoms?). Or should I just get her antibiotics right away?

Or no antibiotics?

Help! Any and all advice is welcome.

I would def be concerned with a newborn! I would demand a test for the 2 yr old so you at leats know what you are dealing with. The thing about abx they don't make sxs less for the infected person. If given before the coughs sets in they can prevent the carrier from being contagious, but it sounds like you may be beyond that poitn anyway. I would def test ASAP! Do you have an ND you can talk to?

[nycmom18]

if you're nursing, you could take raw garlic and vitamin c or SA throughout the day, so your nursling has exposure to those frequently. your antibodies should help as well since you're in contact with your 2 yr old. and then i guess just be cautious of your 2 yr old coughing, touching, etc with the baby.

[ameliabedelia]

I would get the 2-yo tested and if it's positive I would consult with a naturopathic physician on the best way to treat. I would even consider giving SA directly to the newborn (just placing a tiny amt. on his tongue), but probably not without consulting the dr.

[MandyB]

Scary! Just wanted to let you know that we had my 11 month old tested and he was posotive for whooping cough. The test wasn't nearly as bad as I thought it would be (a mucous swab from the back of the nose) though. We had a hard time convincing dr's to do the test, and I wished I had listened to my mommy instincts and had it done sooner! Our ped put all the kids on antibiotics and I took raw garlic and cranberry (still nursing the baby) and it helped me (who also had it) and the baby immensely! Good luck!