Confirmed pertusis in school district/area

[mainemommy1]

my 6.5 year old has had 2 DtAp vaccines as an infant and nothing else. My child is in public school. Pertusis has been confirmed in another school in our district. My child developed speech issues, digestive issue and food allergies after the first 2 shots so we stopped all vaccines. However, since pertusis is in our town, is it worth getting another dose? Is it too late as I believe we need 2 more doses for protection and my child is approaching age 7 (the Dtap is only given up to age 7 I believe?)

Any way to prevent or lesson symptoms? If it appears in our school we will be out for 2 weeks due to the state laws.

WWYD?

[lovebeingamomma]

What would I do?  Give extra vit C daily, give him sanitizing wipes in his backpack to use before he eats, wash hands as soon as he gets home, and stay away from coughing kids!  In other words, I would be proactive in keeping his immune system strong vs. getting more shots.  I would be just as concerned about a reaction at 7 as I would be when he was younger.  Just my two cents.  Also, consider that when you hear of Pertussis deaths, a large percentage is under 2 mo's old.  I know Pertussis is scary, but in recent outbreaks of older kids, they've all been fine, so that's why I would personally not worry too much, vs. something like a Polio outbreak. 

[Bokonon]

I wouldn't get another dose, especially after seeing regression after earlier doses.  Reactions are more likely in subsequent doses.  My son had the first 4 doses without incident, and then had a reaction to the 5th dose and spent months being sick.

Just practice common sense hygiene like frequent handwashing.  Pertussis was reported to be "all over" Southern California last year, but there were no reports at my son's school or even in his district that I know of.  It doesn't really worry me either, as he is old enough to handle it.

Lots of vitamins C and D would be my suggestion, and have sodium ascorbate on hand just in case he develops symptoms.

[Marnica]

I agree with above posters. I wouldn't get the vax anyway, but if my DS had developed the issues you describe after 2 doses as an infant, there is no way I would get anymore!! He is old enough where, although it might be unpleasant, he would be fine - especially if you treat it with SA.

[hippoPT]

My 10 month old is coming down with a nasty cough.  At first I thought it might pertussis, but now sounding more barking like croup maybe?  He hasn't had any vaccines and hasn't ever really been sick before.... Any suggestions?  I try to avoid antibiotics, but should I take him to get seen?

[Mosaic]

Moving to health and healing since this seems mostly about treatment...