I wanted to tell about our time with Pertussis since it was so helpful to read other posts about it and the great information I got from here on how to handle it and helped me know I could get through this.
I am 32 yrs and was vaxed as a child. I got a "cold" and low grade fever for about 3 days and then felt better and that is when the cough started. At first it was normal cough then about 4 days later it was worse but still nothing as horrible as I have read about whooping cough. It was mostly at night that was the problem. After about 9 days from onset of first sign of illness I went to the dr for my 4.5 yr since I thought he had impetigo (sp?) and it kept getting worse. Which he did have and none of my other kids got it. Since my cough wasn't better I thought I would be seen too and see if it was in my lungs and at time pertussis didn't even cross my mind, I thought maybe pneumonia or bronchitis. They did a xray that came back fine. They did the nose swab and 3 days later they called and said I tested positive for pertussis. They put us all on antibotics for 14 days and said to stay home for 5 days (impossible for my husband to do since of work- he doesn't get sick time pay and it would have broke us too). So in a frazzle after hearing this I just go with the flow and start the meds. Also I should note that it does not matter if your kids are vaxed or not they give the meds to everyone no matter the vax status. As I gave the meds I thought I hate doing this, it just doesn't seem right for us. My husband got diarrhea. My oldest got stomach pain and vomitting so bad that they said for him to stop taking it since they were worried about it. My 2yr and 4mth got painful diaper rashes, not to mention the baby hated the med and would keeping spitting up the meds I had to give 4 times a day. So after 5 days I finally remembered about Mothering and thought someone must know a better way or dealt with this. And that is where I found out about the vit c and what specific kind to use and how much and that is what we did instead. My hubby vaxed from child and military didn't get sick. My oldest 9.5 mostly vaxed (but nursed for 5yrs) didn't get sick (but he is dx autistic, adhd, apraxia speech disorder). My 4.5 never vaxed didn't get sick. My 2 yr and 4mth old both never vaxed has coughed a handful number of times but just a regular cough, no whoop or breathing problems. The two littlest are both still nursing. For me I believe that extended and exclusively breastfeeding is what helped us and using a natural way to heal this. I also don't vax because of our religious beliefs (and of the dangers of what's in the vaxs) and believe that putting our faith in Him was a factor too. I understand not all pertussis are like this but wanted to share that pertussis can be different from what the textbooks say.
Kim Ann
I am 32 yrs and was vaxed as a child. I got a "cold" and low grade fever for about 3 days and then felt better and that is when the cough started. At first it was normal cough then about 4 days later it was worse but still nothing as horrible as I have read about whooping cough. It was mostly at night that was the problem. After about 9 days from onset of first sign of illness I went to the dr for my 4.5 yr since I thought he had impetigo (sp?) and it kept getting worse. Which he did have and none of my other kids got it. Since my cough wasn't better I thought I would be seen too and see if it was in my lungs and at time pertussis didn't even cross my mind, I thought maybe pneumonia or bronchitis. They did a xray that came back fine. They did the nose swab and 3 days later they called and said I tested positive for pertussis. They put us all on antibotics for 14 days and said to stay home for 5 days (impossible for my husband to do since of work- he doesn't get sick time pay and it would have broke us too). So in a frazzle after hearing this I just go with the flow and start the meds. Also I should note that it does not matter if your kids are vaxed or not they give the meds to everyone no matter the vax status. As I gave the meds I thought I hate doing this, it just doesn't seem right for us. My husband got diarrhea. My oldest got stomach pain and vomitting so bad that they said for him to stop taking it since they were worried about it. My 2yr and 4mth got painful diaper rashes, not to mention the baby hated the med and would keeping spitting up the meds I had to give 4 times a day. So after 5 days I finally remembered about Mothering and thought someone must know a better way or dealt with this. And that is where I found out about the vit c and what specific kind to use and how much and that is what we did instead. My hubby vaxed from child and military didn't get sick. My oldest 9.5 mostly vaxed (but nursed for 5yrs) didn't get sick (but he is dx autistic, adhd, apraxia speech disorder). My 4.5 never vaxed didn't get sick. My 2 yr and 4mth old both never vaxed has coughed a handful number of times but just a regular cough, no whoop or breathing problems. The two littlest are both still nursing. For me I believe that extended and exclusively breastfeeding is what helped us and using a natural way to heal this. I also don't vax because of our religious beliefs (and of the dangers of what's in the vaxs) and believe that putting our faith in Him was a factor too. I understand not all pertussis are like this but wanted to share that pertussis can be different from what the textbooks say.
Kim Ann
