Scared to death of newborn getting pertussis- anyone else?

[JFTB1177]

From what I've read on the net, breastfeeding helps prevent a lot of diseases in babies, except pertussis. :( My husband has a horrible cough- how likely is it that it is pertussis (btw he doesn't have insurance although our kids do so won't go get checked out)??? I live in Maryland and there are no outbreaks that I know of, but still am scared.

Anyone know what, if any, protection BFing has when it comes to pertussis? Like I said, I couldn't find anything online that said BF is beneficial. :(

Anyone else worried about this?

ETA: Did any of your babies get pertussis, and were they okay? Maybe some stories of babies getting it and being okay will help me feel better!

[ma2two]

Have you researched sodium ascorbate as a treatment for pertussis? It can be given to babies, and you might as well try it on your husband to see if it helps him.

I'd have to hear your husband's cough or get a good description of it to have any idea whether or not it is pertussis.

[DahliaRW]

Honestly, pertussis is about the only disease they have a vax for that really worries me.  But, the vax is one of the most reactive and one of the least effective.  So there you go.  Fortunately my youngest is 20 months, and as she gets older I worry less.

Edited by DahliaRW - 3/16/11 at 1:19pm

[Turquesa]

Everything Dahlia RW says.  We do vax for pertussis.

[MsFortune]

Whopping cough has a pretty distinctive sound - it kind of sounds like they are saying "whoop whoop" (hence the name)

You can listen to it on youtube

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wuvn-vp5InE&feature=related

Since your baby is too young for the pertussis vax, you can protect baby by getting everyone around the baby vaxed or getting them boosters. Before my baby was born, DH, my MIL (who watches the kids a lot) and I all went and got the vax.  I figure we all probably got it when we were kids but I did not want to rely on that.  DS was already vaxed recently.  

If your DH does not have insurance, try calling the county or other health service.  My MIL got shots through the county for like $20.  Some drug stores also do shots, but I don't know which ones - maybe just flu.

[alegna]

Originally Posted by MsFortune 

Since your baby is too young for the pertussis vax, you can protect baby by getting everyone around the baby vaxed or getting them boosters. Before my baby was born, DH, my MIL (who watches the kids a lot) and I all went and got the vax.  I figure we all probably got it when we were kids but I did not want to rely on that.  DS was already vaxed recently.  

Actually the vax doesn't prevent carriage or transmission.  So you can be fully vaxed, never get the identifying symptoms, simply appear to have a cold and still pass pertussis to a newborn.

-Angela

[MsFortune]

Originally Posted by alegna 

Actually the vax doesn't prevent carriage or transmission.  So you can be fully vaxed, never get the identifying symptoms, simply appear to have a cold and still pass pertussis to a newborn.

-Angela

That does not make sense to me.  You would have to have pertussis to pass it on.  

If you know otherwise, can you provide a link?

Thanks

[Oliver'sMom]

I agree with pp that the best way to protect your small babe is to make sure that everyone around her is vaccinated against pertussis.  I don't know what protection breastfeeding offers.  I would contact your local health department and see if your dh can get tested for pertussis.  I would think that it would be free or close to it because it's a matter of public health.

There has been an outbreak in my community and I know of one family who lost their 5mo baby :( 

[KempsMama]

Here is a link of compiled data regarding the shedding of the vaccine.  Personally, I keep my children away from people who have recently been vaccinated for it.  Also, it has mutated over time, and during the recent outbreak in CA the vaccine wasn't really effective-2 out of 3 that got sick were vaccinated.

http://insidevaccines.com/wordpress/vaccine-efficacy-how-often-do-vaccines-work/dtap/pertussis-vaccine-and-transmission/

[Chamomile Girl]

There is a difference between pertussis and whopping cough as the latter is the name given to an advanced/serious case of pertussis that has developed the distinctive cough. The big issue I have with the pertussis vaccine is that you can still get pertussis (vaccine does not prevent transmission), but are less likely to have it become serious enough to develop the distinctive cough of whopping cough. Therefore (as stated by a PP) you will probably not know if you get the disease...but you can still transmit it to those around you should this occur.

Therefore if everyone in a family were to be vaccinated because of babies in the house, those family members are just as likely to develop pertussis...but not know it and therefore not take the proper precautions around the baby. No thank you....I see nothing but problems with the pertussis vaccine. And blaming an uptick in cases on unvaccinated people is pure fearmongering in this case.

I would encourage those who believe otherwise to get out there and do some research.

[ema-adama]

Originally Posted by MsFortune 

That does not make sense to me.  You would have to have pertussis to pass it on.  

If you know otherwise, can you provide a link?

Thanks

Pertussis is the name of the bacteria that results in the disease whooping cough. The whoop is a result of a toxin secreted by the bacteria that are in the mucosal lining of the respiratory tract.

The vaccine is designed to induce immunity to the toxin. Not the bacteria. You can carry the bacteria and spread it without knowing that your runny nose contains Pertussis bacteria. However, if the vaccine works, you will have a good chance of having a less severe cough.

Despite high vaccination rates, pertussis remains endemic. Unlike measles.

[Jugs]

The vaccine may not completely prevent transmission, but it does significantly reduce transmission. Of course, some feel its not worth the risk of the vaccine, while others feel that its better than no protection at all.

[Jugs]

The filamentous hemagglutinin (FHA) and pertactin in the vaccine do help reduce colonization of the bacteria.

Originally Posted by ema-adama 
The vaccine is designed to induce immunity to the toxin. Not the bacteria. You can carry the bacteria and spread it without knowing that your runny nose contains Pertussis bacteria. However, if the vaccine works, you will have a good chance of having a less severe cough.

[ema-adama]

Originally Posted by Jugs 

The vaccine may not completely prevent transmission, but it does significantly reduce transmission. Of course, some feel its not worth the risk of the vaccine, while others feel that its better than no protection at all.

Are you referring to the mechanism whereby a vaccinated person coughs less and for a shorter duration, so they spread the virus less?

[MsFortune]

Originally Posted by ema-adama 

Unlike measles.

Well, not in the US, but it is in the UK and Australia.  GO TEAM USA!

[Jugs]

Originally Posted by ema-adama 

Are you referring to the mechanism whereby a vaccinated person coughs less and for a shorter duration, so they spread the virus less?

Partly yes, although its actually bacteria, not a virus. The vaccine also reduces colonization, so even if the vaccinated person is coughing, they are transmitting less bacteria. 

[Subhuti]

Please listen to the whooping cough sound ... We had it .. It is a very distinctive sound and your husband would feel that he can't breathe because the throat closes entirely. For me, I would have to vomit before my air passages would open again and I could breathe. It is unlike any, any other cough.

We too were afraid to pass it on to our newborn .... But by the time I gave birth I guess I was not contagious. They were, however afraid my labor would be messed up by the coughing. It wasok.

Statistically it is really unlikely your dh has it ... So pls try not to worry.

If his cough does have the woop sound ... Call the health dept and say he needs a PCR test at low or no cost ... They may agree as he is a public health risk. He should wear a mask when going out to not infect others. A baby or a frail old person could die from it.

Please pm me if any questions.

[ema-adama]

Originally Posted by Jugs 

The filamentous hemagglutinin (FHA) and pertactin in the vaccine do help reduce colonization of the bacteria.

In theory, FHA, pertactin and FIM 2 and 3 should reduce the transmission of pertussis. However, despite DTP and now DTaP vaccines, the endemic cycles in pertussis cases has not really changed.

It would seem that FHA is better than just PT. And FHA + Pertactin + PT is better than just FHA with PT. And that FIM 2&3 added to the FHA and Pertactin  and PT is even better. Better at offering protection to the vaccinated host. Not necessarily better at clearing the bacteria from the nasopharynx. Or preventing transmission.

From what I can understand Pertussis is very good at evading the immune system. And there is room for improving the vaccine. I will look for more details on vaccinated children/people clearing the bacteria from the nosapharynx, At the initial stages of infection. When you are most infectious.

[ma2two]

"It is unknown whether immunizing adolescents and adults against pertussis will reduce the risk of transmission to infants."

http://vaccines.com/index.cfm?FA=protect/adacel/content&S=HOME&P=HowS_pread

Advertisement for pertussis vaccine on vaccine manufacturer's website

[ema-adama]

Originally Posted by Jugs 

Partly yes, although its actually bacteria, not a virus. The vaccine also reduces colonization, so even if the vaccinated person is coughing, they are transmitting less bacteria. 

Duh. Sorry, I do know it is a bacteria. Thats what you get when NAK a baby and emotional toddler make demands while trying to post Lesson to take a step back from the computer when I am needed IRL.

Transmission is most likely during the catarrhal stage, not the coughing stage.

I am not making these points to pick a fight about choosing this vaccines. Pertussis is scary. And some people feel much safer with the vaccine. I am pointing out that there is not good evidence that the vaccine prevents transmission and there is a lot of work being done to try and control pertussis with a vaccine. Perhaps a newer vaccine will have more success. 
 

Edited by ema-adama - 3/14/11 at 1:02am