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Posted by Imnotnorty on 08-Sep-2011 23:42 Report
WHOOPING COUGH need help
Has anyone heard of any cases of whooping cough? Our 3year old went to the doctors on sunday (not usual doctor, being the weekend) and he said he thinks is whooping cough, took swab. Took him back to usual doctor on tuesday and he said nope not whooping cough, but gave antibiotics for it as a precaution. Went back today for results, usual doctor not on so seen the one from sunday, results were back and negitive but doctor still thinks is whooping cough, says that can happen.  Both doctors are at the same practice. We are in limbo, have you heard of any where you live? Need to know because we need to stay away from another family member who is expecting a baby in the next month. Thanks in advance.
 
Replied by lavenderkate on 09-Sep-2011 04:35 (Ref 2311449) Report
For many reasons some mothers are now not getting their babies immunized against this dreaded disease and it is again raising it's ugly head again. I know that it is a mother's choice whether their get their babies immunized or not. Having seen babies struggling to breath with this disease. I believe that getting babies immunized against whooping cough / polo should be made compulsory. Some pre-school will not admit children who have not been immunized as they could be a danger to other children.I did hear on the news a while ago that mother's may be charged with neglect for not getting their babies immunized against this disease,
Replied by chloecat on 09-Sep-2011 07:50 (Ref 2311452) Report
 Yes it's everywhere.  Have heard ads on the radio recently telling pregnant women to get immunised so that they don't pass it onto their baby.  Alot of the 'new age' mothers aren't immunising their kids because they believe all the hype that it causes health problems.
Replied by goldhills on 09-Sep-2011 07:50 (Ref 2311453) Report
Whooping cough is on the rise because of the lack of children being immunised. Up until a couple of months ago there had been around 5000 cases so far this year, not sure of the figures recently. I know there has been a few cases in the schools around where I live (hour north of Sunshine Coast, Qld)  in the last month. There is also a cold going around with a severe cough which clears up in a couple of days.
Replied by Imnotnorty on 09-Sep-2011 07:53 (Ref 2311455) Report
Oh dear! Thanks!
Btw 3 year old is immunised.
Replied by nara120 on 09-Sep-2011 07:54 (Ref 2311454) Report
I just googled "latest cases of whooping cough" and found lots of recent info.  I have a son that use to suffer from croup. That was scary enough!!
Replied by rumpelstiltskin on 09-Sep-2011 07:57 (Ref 2311456) Report
It is highly contagious, so please keep away from others, including un-immunised adults. Though I don't think it can be passed on to an unborn child

Both my husband and I had it a few years ago so it's not only the young that can get it. It is nasty and very frightening. I was never sure if I would ever breathe again once I started coughing. It was like having an excess burst of saliva that you could not stop from getting into the windpipe. That's what causes the cough and the whooping is trying to grab a breath before the next spasm of coughing. My children were all immunised and did not get it, but were terribly frightened their parents would die!

Please ensure your child sits up while having an episode with his head slightly forward and allow the saliva to dribble out, but not so far forward that it would come out the nose.
We found this to be the best postition for catching that life-saving breath. Tell him to try and breath in slowly, if possible, to help stop more saliva from going down the windpipe - very hard for a 3 year old, I know. Patting the back firmly will also give a little relief and try to keep calm.

Immunisation is compulsory in New Zealand for babies so our children had the complete series of doses necessary. I recommend immunisation for all the deadly diseases - whooping cough, diptheria, measles, polio.

I hope it is not whooping cough, but it pays to be safe.

Edit. Just read your last post about him being immunised. He should not get whooping cough in that case unless it was a defective dose.
Replied by Imnotnorty on 09-Sep-2011 08:15 (Ref 2311459) Report
Thanks for those answers. Our whole family including aunts uncles grandparents all had boosters when he was born, there was an outbreak then. Wonder why that doctor seems to think he has it?
Replied by rosecottagecards on 09-Sep-2011 08:35 (Ref 2311463) Report
Hi - We have had over 20 confirmed cases of it at my sons primary school in Albury and everyone of those children had been immunised - my son had been unwell and he tested neg but another of the mums son had been unwell high temps the occasion cough but not the expected deep whoop cough and he tested positive - so I was amazed that the symptoms can vary and not present with what you would expect whooping cough to be. But the swab test usually is a reliable test even if you have to headlock the child while it is carried out - my son was less than impressed with it !
According the the woman who carried out the test they now believe that certain people are not holding the immunisations as well as others and that they maybe wearing off quicker or not holding to strength in certain people - and that by adulthood many that have been immunised are not immune to many of the illnesses.
I suppose when you think of all the new strengths and strains of many of the new bugs and flus each year they must surely wear down our immune system if exposed to them in big or even small doses......it is indeed cocerning to think of all the kids that have been immunised against whooping cough and have indeed tested positive......?
Replied by kiwiroo1212 on 09-Sep-2011 08:47 (Ref 2311465) Report
OP i would go with your gut, even get another opinion if thats what it takes, Havent heard of any around my area but its still a scary thing to happen.

Rumpy you mentioned Immunisation is compulsory in New Zealand..

Wasnt when i left NZ Unless its changed?  My sis in law doesnt have her children immunised, has 3 children never had any problems getting into schools etc.

Good luck imnotnorty, hope your angel has a super speedy recovery.

Kiwi
-x-
Replied by weinerpatrol on 09-Sep-2011 09:09 (Ref 2311469) Report
You can still get it if you've been immunised by the way. It's not as severe as it would have been though.
Replied by richbartim on 09-Sep-2011 09:29 (Ref 2311474) Report
Both my Sons had it at the same time. they were about 18 months and 3 yrs at the time. they could not be immunized because I was an epileptic so I was advised against it or it would have had some affect on the boys not sure what it was as this was over 30 yrs ago. it was hard going with the boys but I really don't think they had it. I really think it was more a case of croup but the Dr said whooping cough. I think it lasted about 3 wks before we were allowed out. all so long ago I can't really remember.
but go and get a 3rd opinion.
Replied by remaynerecycled on 09-Sep-2011 11:03 (Ref 2311504) Report
There's a terrible chest infection going around Vic at the moment that seems to cause the whoop cough sound in a lot of the kids with it. Someone said it was another strain of whooping cough but I'm not sure if that's true or not. Has turned into pnuemonia with some of the kids as well. Nasty thing it is.
Replied by lavenderkate on 09-Sep-2011 12:38 (Ref 2311518) Report
On the news today they advised that there had been seven deaths in children from whooping cough this winter Aussie wide, and none of the infants / children had  been  immunized.
Sad but true.
Replied by nefer_sold on 09-Sep-2011 12:51 (Ref 2311521) Report

Whooping cough epidemic in eastern states of Australia at present because people are not vaccinating their kids.

It is a serious illness with 10% of those infected having serious complications including death.  It is not a harmless childhood illness.

There are also lots of cases of the elderly being infected by their grand children - these cases always end up in hospital with complications.

Your child may have early symptoms of whooping cough and retesting may bring back different results from initial blood tests.  Hope your little one feels better soon.

EDIT:  Maybe your little one is getting a false negative because hebwas immunised????
Replied by Imnotnorty on 09-Sep-2011 19:38 (Ref 2311607) Report
Thankyou all again, have taken everything on board. He is a lot better this afternoon, back to the doctor tomorrow.
Replied by Imnotnorty on 10-Sep-2011 22:59 (Ref 2311694) Report
Update: He is all better, coughing of course but otherwise good. Scarey stuff and not fair when you immunise but others don't. Thankfully seems it was just that nasty bug going around. Thankyou all for your input, I must admit I was not prepared for the posts that whooping cough is going around again
Replied by nicegreenpetticoats on 13-Sep-2011 00:21 (Ref 2311899) Report
When my daughter was little she had a bout of really scary coughing that sounding like whooping noises.

When I took her to the doctor he said what I described sounded like croup, which isn't good either, he said to stand with her in the bathroom and run the hot water tap to steam up the room to clear her airways if it started again and then get her to the hospital as soon as possible.

The night it happened really freaked me out, I made her a warm milo and she was standing next to me while the kettle boiled and the coughing  eased so I took her to the doctor the next morning.

After that I figured anything that sounds like it is interfering with their breathing is worth a trip to the doctor.

It isn't nice dealing with a sick baby after they have been immunised, but it is a lot better than burying them if they contract a preventable disease.

Jenny
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