Can't enjoy my pregnancy so freaked out about unvaxxed older son and pertussis

[HRJ]

I am beside myself trying to decide what to do. DS is almost 6 and in Montessori kindergarten and totally unvaxxed. We have a strong family history of autism (4 children - all severe). DS has had behavioral issues from casein and would body slam himself if he had it when younger. He has other allergies, and I have multiple autoimmune issues (allergies, endometriosis, intestitial cystitis, and possibly MS). In this regard, I just feel we have no choice. We just can't vax.

But I can't enjoy my pregnancy. I'm 21 weeks and am convinced my son will bring it home to my baby. I've seen so many threads on here about people having pertussis. And we just found a new family dr - when I asked him last week if he'd ever treated pertussis, he said he was seeing a ton of it right now. And we're in OH (not in California or anything). I can't get excited about hiring a doula or taking Bradley classes or anything.

I'm due March 2 and will just be on pins and needles until school lets out at the end of May. There are at least two other unvaccinated children in his classroom. I know the Dtap doesn't apparently prevent transmission but the higher number of unvaxxed kids doesn't sit well with me. I have contemplated the Dtap. I've called the Autism Research Institute hotline, I've talked to our pediatrician (who is on the Dr Sear's vaccine friendly dr list). I've called the reps for Vaccine Lib.

I just have this sick feeling in my stomach. One minute I think I am going to do the Dtap (which could mess up our exemption if the school found out about it) and the next minute I say 'No way. My son isn't taking one for the team.' I just feel trapped.

[BeckyBird]

Once your baby is born, you will still worry about your son bringing home pertussis. But it seems that the vaccine does not prevent the transmission of pertussis anyways. So, even if you and your son were vaccinated, there is still the possibility to spread it around. It's not just the unvaxxed kids/adults spreading around the illness. Sometimes, I wonder about bringing my unvaxxed baby around kids who were recently vaxxed, for fear of secondary transmission! (Ex. Flumist w/live weakened virus.)

No matter which route you choose, there will always be worry. If there were only one right answer, we would not have these discussion boards

[Emmeline II]

My vaxed 2yo son passed on pertussis to me while I was pregnant.

There are plenty of illness for which there are no vaccines that your ds is more likely to bring home. Last spring, ds came home from K with what we found out was pink-eye; to us it just seemed like a horrid cold. Ds ended up on an inhaler temporarily, and dh and I also developed bronchitis.

I would (and did) treated every sniffle like it may be Pertussis and treat with sodium ascorbate. If there is a confirmed case of Pertussis at the school you could consider prophylactic antibiotics for the family.

[HRJ]

Originally Posted by Emmeline II

My vaxed 2yo son passed on pertussis to me while I was pregnant.

There are plenty of illness for which there are no vaccines that your ds is more likely to bring home. Last spring, ds came home from K with what we found out was pink-eye; to us it just seemed like a horrid cold. Ds ended up on an inhaler temporarily, and dh and I also developed bronchitis.

I would (and did) treated every sniffle like it may be Pertussis and treat with sodium ascorbate. If there is a confirmed case of Pertussis at the school you could consider prophylactic antibiotics for the family.

Do you know how long you would do prophylactic antibiotics - how many days? I am very concerned about things like flu too. My son was SO sick last year at this school. it was his first yr in a group setting, and he had 4 colds, 2 ear infections, 2 stomach bugs, and 1 strep throat. He wasn't healthy 'til April. Having the baby in March (or even Feb if I go early) wigs me out.

Also your vaxxed son that transmitted it to you, I guess he was fully up to date on all the Dtaps?

And if you start the sodium absorbate at the beginning of sniffles, could it prevent you from getting pertussis or is bacteria bacteria regardless?

[by-the-lake]

Originally Posted by HRJ

Do you know how long you would do prophylactic antibiotics - how many days? I am very concerned about things like flu too. My son was SO sick last year at this school. it was his first yr in a group setting, and he had 4 colds, 2 ear infections, 2 stomach bugs, and 1 strep throat. He wasn't healthy 'til April. Having the baby in March (or even Feb if I go early) wigs me out.

Also your vaxxed son that transmitted it to you, I guess he was fully up to date on all the Dtaps?

And if you start the sodium absorbate at the beginning of sniffles, could it prevent you from getting pertussis or is bacteria bacteria regardless?

Just want to answer one of your questions. Prophylactic treatment is Zithromax (Zpack) for 5 days. This prophylactic decreases the likelihood of transmission. It really doesn't do a lot for a diagnosed symptomatic case of pertussis. Our family just went through pertussis. This is what we did and what we were told by many a physician.

[javilu]

There's a thread on here (poke around for it - I *just* closed the window) that has a link to a study where women who get pertussis themselves during the 2nd or 3rd trimester can pass on up to 14 months of immunity to their newborns.

[mylilmonkeys]

Pertussis is scary in babies! My kids all came down with it when my youngest was 8 months. But, my oldest was fully vaxed and had it as bad as any of the older ones. Vaccination is not a guaranteed prevention. Also, it is not "fully effective" until all doses have been administered. I don't know how many months between doses anymore, but it seems to me that he wouldn't be able to get all of them in before the baby arrives, or possibly even before the end of the school year. The choices stink, I know, but it seems like there are far more reasons to avoid vaccinating your child than reasons to do so.

IF your child comes down with it, keep him far away from the baby. It took almost a month before my baby caught it from her siblings, and that was primarily because I did not effectively keep her 2 yo (at the time) brother away from her and he kept coughing directly on her. I did not know it was pertussis until she caught it, because she was the only one who whooped. But she was classic. A face mask might be a good idea, if he gets sick. Play at dress up or superhero or something when he comes around the baby, or even you if he gets sick while you are still pregnant.

[KoalaMommy]

I don't know, if it's ruining your pregnancy, I might just do it. Have the parent who didn't sign the exemption form take the child in. How will the school find out if you don't tell them?

But I also don't think pertussis is that big a deal, yucky, yes, life threatening, no. The doctor can test for it if you suspect (like it's going around your community and your child develops a runny nose with clear mucus).

I would go with your gut on this one, because in the end, that's all you have to go on. Compelling arguments are made on both sides so it's what feels right to you.

[hollytheteacher]

I also vote to go with your gut and get him vaxed for it. You do not have to tell the school so it shouldn't interfere with your exemption. It might not matter anyway...not sure what state you are in, but here you can pick and choose which vaxes you want and get an exemption for the rest (it's literally a checklist sheet).

The only thing is that whether he is vaxed or not he can still catch it. It just means he'll likely have a much less severe case of it. Also whether he is vaxed or not will not prevent transmission so you/your baby/etc. can still potentially catch pertusis if he gets it.

Again though, go with your gut. With all the information out there you just have to do what is right for your family. For us we we did hib, dtap and mmr (very spread out). DS had a reaction to prevnar which we did once and then stopped. So as long as you only do one vax at a time you can determine if there was a reaction or not. SO in other words, if you do decide to vax him for dtap...go in and do it and then if he has no reaction, continue with the series.

[raelize]

Originally Posted by hollytheteacher

I also vote to go with your gut and get him vaxed for it. You do not have to tell the school so it shouldn't interfere with your exemption. It might not matter anyway...not sure what state you are in, but here you can pick and choose which vaxes you want and get an exemption for the rest (it's literally a checklist sheet).

The only thing is that whether he is vaxed or not he can still catch it. It just means he'll likely have a much less severe case of it. Also whether he is vaxed or not will not prevent transmission so you/your baby/etc. can still potentially catch pertusis if he gets it.

Again though, go with your gut. With all the information out there you just have to do what is right for your family. For us we we did hib, dtap and mmr (very spread out). DS had a reaction to prevnar which we did once and then stopped. So as long as you only do one vax at a time you can determine if there was a reaction or not. SO in other words, if you do decide to vax him for dtap...go in and do it and then if he has no reaction, continue with the series.

i think this is good advice.

[OpenMama]

I agree with the others. Get him vaccinated if it's making you crazy. It is NOT worth it to ruin your pregnancy. The DTaP is a safe vaccine, and you can get your son at least three doses by March. You can also be vaccinated during the second or third trimester of your pregnancy with TDaP. Please do whatever it takes to give yourself peace.

[JavaFinch]

This might not be helpful, but I just wanted to say that when I was pregnant, I was SO worried about stuff like this. I literally sat around wondering how I could have my nieces over because they go to public school and they could bring diseases over. I was still a bit that way in the hospital, but I chilled out quite a bit after the baby was born. I guess what I'm saying is maybe you could try to tell yourself that you're not going to worry about this until after the baby is born, and by then maybe you won't be so worried. I think pregnancy does something to us to make us think the sky is going to fall (at least it did to me).

I am not sure what to tell you about the vax issue, though. That's why I don't know that my response is helpful Try not to worry too much - pregnancy is too special to waste worrying.

[ammiga]

Which is the better option for you...

1. Don't get the shot. You learn how to identify pertussis and how to treat it. If your child brings it home, you keep your kids separated. You worry until you feel your baby is out of the major danger time frame. Hopefully, your worries ease up a bit, and you realize/remember there is always something to worry about with our babies and children.

2. Get the shot. You still need to learn how to identify pertussis and how to treat it. If your child brings it home, you keep your kids separated. You worry until you feel your baby is out of the major danger time frame. Now, you also need to start watching for vax reactions. And this goes on every time your ds gets a booster. And every time you start to wonder if something is normal or a reaction. Will you have guilt to cope with over the choice to vax in addition to the worries? Hopefully, your worries ease up a bit, and you realize/remember there is always something to worry about with our babies and children.

[raelize]

Originally Posted by OpenMama

I agree with the others. Get him vaccinated if it's making you crazy. It is NOT worth it to ruin your pregnancy. The DTaP is a safe vaccine, and you can get your son at least three doses by March. You can also be vaccinated during the second or third trimester of your pregnancy with TDaP. Please do whatever it takes to give yourself peace.

i agree with this. also, although once you have pertussis (vaxed or not) you can transmitt it, if you are vaxed you are much less likely to get it. yes, it is not 100%, it is only around 80% effective.
if you are feeling that worried, than i would get it.

and i don't know how i wold be able to keep two little ones seperated for the full window of contagion. dd2 had colic and i had to carry her in my wrap all day and night. i would have had to send dd1 away for her entire illness.

[HRJ]

I think I have finally come to my decision and starting to feel more peace about it. After seeing a post from another mom on the boards (and PMing her) who has a child w/ regressive autism that was starting to vax at 5 1/2, it's just not a risk, I'm willing to take. Not w/ our family history. Hopefully the baby will be okay, but I am not sacrificing older DS. I was hoping to have something to make me feel more at peace about my decision, and i am very glad she was willing to PM me b/c it was the last 'nail in the coffin'.

i won't get the vaccine either b/c I could have multiple schlerosis (and the pkg insert mentions Guillan B Syndrone or other nervous system/neurological issues as a reason not to do the vaccine). I will have my husband get a booster though b/c he works in a hospital and has to be in the ER on a not infrequent basis. In some ways, i think he's more of a risk factor than my son.

I'm also reminded of a friend of mine who had a baby get pertussis from her nurse in the hospital, which really makes me wonder how effective the shot is.

[TonyaW]

HRJ, I am glad to see you came to decision as I am sure that brings some peace for you. I remember every time I was pregnant, I was a nervous wreck about everything. I think that is part of pregnancy hormones unfortunately!!!

I just wanted to ask if you know which vaccines were administered in the child who regressed into autism? '

I have an almost 4 year old unvaccinated son and I am considering the DT as of now, but also have a family history of possible autism, at the very least some form of mental illness and auto immune disease.

[HRJ]

Originally Posted by TonyaW

HRJ, I am glad to see you came to decision as I am sure that brings some peace for you. I remember every time I was pregnant, I was a nervous wreck about everything. I think that is part of pregnancy hormones unfortunately!!!

I just wanted to ask if you know which vaccines were administered in the child who regressed into autism? '

I have an almost 4 year old unvaccinated son and I am considering the DT as of now, but also have a family history of possible autism, at the very least some form of mental illness and auto immune disease.

I believe DT and MMR on the same day. Hope that helps!

[OpenMama]

Originally Posted by ammiga

Which is the better option for you...

1. Don't get the shot. You learn how to identify pertussis and how to treat it. If your child brings it home, you keep your kids separated. You worry until you feel your baby is out of the major danger time frame. Hopefully, your worries ease up a bit, and you realize/remember there is always something to worry about with our babies and children.

2. Get the shot. You still need to learn how to identify pertussis and how to treat it. If your child brings it home, you keep your kids separated. You worry until you feel your baby is out of the major danger time frame. Now, you also need to start watching for vax reactions. And this goes on every time your ds gets a booster. And every time you start to wonder if something is normal or a reaction. Will you have guilt to cope with over the choice to vax in addition to the worries? Hopefully, your worries ease up a bit, and you realize/remember there is always something to worry about with our babies and children.

Pertussis is highly contagious and is most contagious before any classic/notable symptoms arise. How would she prevent the older son from infecting the infant? Not to be rude, but that not seem like a viable option at all.

[ammiga]

Originally Posted by OpenMama

Pertussis is highly contagious and is most contagious before any classic/notable symptoms arise. How would she prevent the older son from infecting the infant? Not to be rude, but that not seem like a viable option at all.

There are early signs... runny nose, low-grade fever, mild cough. When my toddler has any of these, I keep her off my baby and up her vitamin intake.

We all have different standards for what we consider safe and viable options. I would never consider DTaP a safe vaccine- in my opinion, it is the scariest of all of them.

[Arduinna]

Originally Posted by KoalaMommy

I don't know, if it's ruining your pregnancy, I might just do it. Have the parent who didn't sign the exemption form take the child in. How will the school find out if you don't tell them?

I'd be concerned about showing up on the vax registry and that effecting the exemption. But I don't know which exemption the OP used.