Croup or Whooping Cough in my delayed vax ds

[chistinawc]

Our little guy woke up this morning with a horrible can't-catch-his-breath cough.  We were heading to the ER, but then it got better.  I called the pediatrician's nurse line and she suggested steam followed by cold air.  He still have s scratchy sounding voice and the cough comes back when he gets excited or upset.

I started googling and now have myself worried that it may be whooping cough rather than croup b/c of our delayed vax schedule.  He had the first two Dtap on schedule, but did not get the 18 month one or any others. 

The nurse said no need to go to the doctor today unless it's much worse again, but now I'm worried that she didn't realize we delay vaxes and maybe it's more serious and not just croup? 

Am I overreacting?

[chistinawc]

I should have added that ds is 4 years old now.

[lindberg99]

Did it come on really suddenly? If so, it's probably croup. Here is some good information on croup. I hope your little guy is feeling better soon!

[Bokonon]

Originally Posted by lindberg99 

Did it come on really suddenly? If so, it's probably croup. Here is some good information on croup. I hope your little guy is feeling better soon!

I agree.

Even if he was fully vaxed, he could still get pertussis.

It could be croup, or bronchitis, or any old respiratory illness.  I wouldn't assume pertussis because of the vax situation.

[1love4ever]

Mothering had an article about pertussis awhile back- the vaccine is NO LONGER effective. (not that I believe any vaccines are that effective), but this one is for sure not effective.  Also, there are 2 diff things that cause this illness, vaccine only covers one of them.  Which has now mutated.