travel to california... what would you do to lessen risk of catching pertussis?

[shanniesue2]

DS has been partially vaxed for pertussis... we stopped vaxing at 1 year and before that followed a selective schedule (he's had 3 doses of DTaP)

Anyway, we will be in Palm Springs, CA for 3 days over Christmas.  Staying in a hotel.  Spending time with my ILs... DS has 3 cousins (almost 3, 6, and 10) all fully vaxed (although I realize vax doesn't prevent transmission).  They will probably be the only children DS spends much time with, although he will probably spend time with children when we go to church on Christmas Eve.

I don't know the likelihood of DS catching pertussis during our trip there, but in light of the outbreak in California, I'm wondering if there's anything we should be doing to prevent ourselves from getting sick (other than vaxing--because that's not something I'm comfortable with).  Would Sodium Ascorbate ahead of time help prevent us from catching anything?  I've never done SA, so I don't know exactly how it's supposed to work.  But I've read about how helpful it is with treating Pertussis.

And I don't know if it makes any difference or not, but we will be flying... not to CA, but to and from AZ (where we'll meet with my MIL/FIL).

[EVC]

Well, I live in California and haven't been doing anything special for prevention (and dd is unvax'ed). Also, if you check the stats, the peak seems to be over and the number of reported cases has been going down in recent weeks. Personally, I wouldn't worry too much about it. Of course, SA never hurts and general good nutrition. 

[Toposlonoshlep]

My understanding is that 3 doses put your DS at 85% immunity. The fourth dose, although it raises immunity to it, is recommended, but not totally necesary, because even witht he 4th dose, he still has a chance of getting it. I think with three doses if he were to get it, it would be more mild at least. That's my logic, anyway. We only have 3 dTaps as well and I have relaxed about it.

I had WC when I was 3, and I still remember how terrifying it was. I really felt like I was going to die. But I had gotten it after being fully vaxed for it. In my opinion, you're in a pretty good place with 3 doses. Plus, I could be wrog, but being fully vaxed (as in the cases of his cousins) WOULD prevent transmission. If they are not infected, they are not likely to give it to your DS. Use hand disinfectant on the plane and in the airport and practice good handwashing. That's all you can do. Merry Christmas!