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Lisbet
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| Posted: Aug 21 2012 at 3:36pm | IP Logged
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Golly, I haven't been here in such a looong time - I did a search for whooping cough and loved seeing all of the familiar names - I've missed you all!!
Anyway, would anyone be will to share their experience with whooping cough? We have this right now, I think one child is through it, one seems to have been mostly spared, but the other ten have it bad. They are weathering it fairly well, but I am super concerned for the baby, only 10 weeks old. She seems to be the last one with it. She had the cold symptoms about two weeks ago, then she seemed okay for a few days, then last week, she began coughing a tiny bit. Since by that time I managed to connect the dots and figure out it was whooping cough in the other children, I took the baby to the ped to get an antibiotic. He agreed that it seemed the other children have wc, but wasn't interested in testing any one. He said the antibiotic, especially since we started them before the coughing fits set in, would lesson the severity and duration of the nasty bug.
Does this sound right?
(in 18 years of parenting 12 children, this is only the second time we've used antibiotics.)
We also stared mega-dosing with vitamin C in the form of sodium ascorbate. The past two days, she has been having more aggressive coughing fits, but nothing too terrifying. I am worried that it will get worse. I'm not sure when it is prudent to take her in. Needless to say, I am not getting much rest and I am uber worried. Thanks for any advise/encouragement/experience you can share!
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Lisa, wife to Tony,
Mama to:
Nick, 17
Abby, 15
Gabe, 13
Isaac, 11
Mary, 10
Sam, 9
Henry, 7
Molly, 6
Mark, 5
Greta, 3
Cecilia born 10.29.10
Josephine born 6.11.12
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Christine
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| Posted: Aug 21 2012 at 3:59pm | IP Logged
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Lisbet wrote:
He said the antibiotic, especially since we started them before the coughing fits set in, would lesson the severity and duration of the nasty bug.
Does this sound right?
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This is the same thing that we were told by our doctor. When my baby was at the doctor's office, he was coughing until he was red in the face. The nurse checked his oxygen levels and they came back at 97 which is fine. I sat on our couch or in our La-z-Boy recliner with him sleeping upright on me for about two weeks. His coughing spasms seemed a little bit better if he was upright. They also seemed to not last as long with fresh air, so I kept the windows open and stepped outside with him during the day when his coughing got really bad. He is still coughing a bit at night, but not the scary coughing.
I shared the following via email with my local homeschooling group:
Quote:
1. Vaccinated children and adults are getting whooping cough. My public health department told me that this was due to the fact that the vaccine has been changed from a whole cell to a half cell. The change was made because of ”the serious complications that were arising in some children” from the whole cell DTaP vaccine. The whole cell vaccine was 90% effective. The CDC says that the half-cell vaccine is even less effective.
2. The Pertussis cough is worse at night. Although most of my children are no longer coughing at all during the day, they are still coughing at night.
3. Pertussis usually begins as a normal cold and cough; however, in some of my children it began as just a cough.
4. The sooner one starts the antibiotic, the more effective it is in shortening the life span of Pertussis and easing the symptoms. Three of my children still coughed to the point of vomiting on more than one occasion and my baby continually coughed to the point that he was all red in the face.
5. The main reason for administering the antibiotic is that it kills the Pertussis bacteria. This means that although a person might still (most likely will) be coughing after taking Zithromax or the liquid form of this antibiotic (I can’t think of its name) for five days, they will no longer be contagious.
6. We were asked to quarantine ourselves until everyone had finished taking the antibiotic for five days.
7. Whooping cough does not necessarily have a whoop, especially in older children and in babies.
8. The incubation period for whooping cough is 7 to 21 days.
9. Whooping Cough is worse in young babies because their lungs are not fully developed. |
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I pray that your family recovers quickly. I will also say some extra prayers for you.
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Christine
Mommy to 4 girls, 5 boys, & 2 in God's care
Memories of a Catholic Wife and Mother
Pretty Lilla Rose
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Lisbet
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| Posted: Aug 21 2012 at 4:04pm | IP Logged
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Thanks Christine, I will keep your family in my prayers as well. How old is your baby?
__________________
Lisa, wife to Tony,
Mama to:
Nick, 17
Abby, 15
Gabe, 13
Isaac, 11
Mary, 10
Sam, 9
Henry, 7
Molly, 6
Mark, 5
Greta, 3
Cecilia born 10.29.10
Josephine born 6.11.12
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MaryM
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| Posted: Aug 21 2012 at 4:28pm | IP Logged
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No experience with a baby - ours were older (youngest being 4 at the time). They were not officially diagnosed - as the test came back negative (there is a high false positive late in the course of disease). So they didn't treat with antibiotics - at that point it wouldn't have made any difference anyway since we were at tail end. But as you were instructed their use early in the course of the disease can reduce the severity. Like you, we have rarely used antibiotics - probably 2 times in 24 years of parenting as well. It's times like this when I see their use being warranted - infrequent but sometimes needed. Anyway, I'm not going to be of much help with your specific concerns about baby since they didn't apply for us. Glad Christine had something to add on that. Will be praying for you and especially the baby as you get through the next few weeks.
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Mary M. in Denver
Our Domestic Church
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Christine
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| Posted: Aug 21 2012 at 5:43pm | IP Logged
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Lisbet wrote:
Thanks Christine, I will keep your family in my prayers as well. How old is your baby?
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You're welcome, Lisa. My baby is 3 months old. I will say a Memorare for your baby now.
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Christine
Mommy to 4 girls, 5 boys, & 2 in God's care
Memories of a Catholic Wife and Mother
Pretty Lilla Rose
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Chris V
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Praying for you and your children, Lisa. Especially your sweet baby. I too, am so very worried about WC. We are keeping a low profile for the next several weeks, or until we see this disease run its course through the community.
Praying a Memorare for your baby also. And for your children too Christine!
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Chris
Happy Wife with my Happy Life
Mama to My Five Girls ('04~'07~'09~'11~'11) 
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jjmpfu
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Hi Lisa,
My three year old got whooping cough when she was 2 months old. I remember her pediatrician called it the 100 day cough and he was right on. She coughed sporadically for about that long, mostly at night. We tried a vaporizor but she did the best being held semi upright. Our whole family was put on antibiotics too. None of my other kids got it, just her, exactly ten days after her immunization. I will be praying for you and for a quick recovery!
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Lisbet
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| Posted: Aug 22 2012 at 7:15am | IP Logged
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Christine, how long did it last for your little guy? Josie had the antibiotics and started the C a week before the cough set in. Her cough has gotten progressively worse, last night we were up a lot, she was coughing until red in the face. If the antibiotics are supposed to make it less severe - I can't imagine if she had not taken them!
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Lisa, wife to Tony,
Mama to:
Nick, 17
Abby, 15
Gabe, 13
Isaac, 11
Mary, 10
Sam, 9
Henry, 7
Molly, 6
Mark, 5
Greta, 3
Cecilia born 10.29.10
Josephine born 6.11.12
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Christine
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| Posted: Aug 22 2012 at 9:51am | IP Logged
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Chris V wrote:
Praying a Memorare for your baby also. And for your children too Christine! |
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Thank you, Chris.
Lisbet wrote:
Christine, how long did it last for your little guy? Josie had the antibiotics and started the C a week before the cough set in. Her cough has gotten progressively worse, last night we were up a lot, she was coughing until red in the face. If the antibiotics are supposed to make it less severe - I can't imagine if she had not taken them! |
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Kieran's cough started around the end of July/beginning of August. The first week, I though that it was just a standard cough and cold. The following week, he started coughing until he was red in the face. He did this for almost two weeks. Now, he just coughs occasionally at night or when he is taking a nap and his face no longer turns red.
Congratulations on the birth of Josie! I am continuing to pray for your family.
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Christine
Mommy to 4 girls, 5 boys, & 2 in God's care
Memories of a Catholic Wife and Mother
Pretty Lilla Rose
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JennGM
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Praying for your children!
It was the Pertussis that both my boys reacted to, so I have not repeated the vaccinations. So I know they will be at risk. Christine, those facts are most helpful, especially to know the vaccine has changed.
The media has been pushing this as it's unvaccinated people's fault.
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Jennifer G. Miller
Wife to  & ds1  '03 & ds2  '07
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Erica Sanchez
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MaryM wrote:
| They were not officially diagnosed - as the test came back negative (there is a high false positive late in the course of disease). |
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My three youngest were tested two summers ago. We were positive they had wc as they were unvaccinated and had the classic signs, but they all tested negative. I wonder if it was it was a false positive like you are saying, Mary.
What is frustrating is that my now 6 year old has had bad spells of coughing about twice a year since that first bout. He has a bad cough right now. They two youngest (they ones that were tested with him two summers ago) have coughs but not as bad.
I had planned to call the pediatrician and see about getting an inhaler for him as that is the only thing that offered some relief to me and one of my older daughters this past winter/spring when we both had terrible coughs.
My head is spinning a bit. Is it allergies? Asthma? Could he/they have Pertussis? Again, if it was indeed this two years ago? Is that possible?
I've kept him (the 6 year old) home except for our camping trip last week with my sister and her family.
Everything shared is very helpful. Thank you, Christine.
Congratulations, Lisa, on your new baby! My youngest is 3 so I'm not as worried. I pray things get better very soon.
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Have a beautiful and fun day!
Erica in San Diego
(dh)Cash, Emily, Grace, Nicholas, Isabella, Annie, Luke, Max, Peter, 2 little souls ++, and sweet Rose who is legally ours!
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stacykay
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Lisbet wrote:
| ... ... The past two days, she has been having more aggressive coughing fits, but nothing too terrifying. I am worried that it will get worse. I'm not sure when it is prudent to take her in. Needless to say, I am not getting much rest and I am uber worried. Thanks for any advise/encouragement/experience you can share! |
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I would call the ped. office, tell them all the symptoms she is experiencing, and ask for parameters of when you should bring her in to the office or to an er. Of course, mom's gut overrides anyone saying, oh, it's okay, when you feel it's urgent. But the ped should give you some idea of course of action. Always err on the side of caution, and you can't go wrong.
Prayers for you and baby!!!
In Christ,
Stacy in MI
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4 lads mom
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stacykay wrote:
Lisbet wrote:
| ... ... The past two days, she has been having more aggressive coughing fits, but nothing too terrifying. I am worried that it will get worse. I'm not sure when it is prudent to take her in. Needless to say, I am not getting much rest and I am uber worried. Thanks for any advise/encouragement/experience you can share! |
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I would call the ped. office, tell them all the symptoms she is experiencing, and ask for parameters of when you should bring her in to the office or to an er. Of course, mom's gut overrides anyone saying, oh, it's okay, when you feel it's urgent. But the ped should give you some idea of course of action. Always err on the side of caution, and you can't go wrong.
Prayers for you and baby!!!
In Christ,
Stacy in MI |
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I would ditto what Stacy says.....keep in close contact with your ped with your tiny baby, they are at the highest risk for complications as you know...so have a low threshold for having her seen by the ped or straight to the ER.
We’ve missed you! Praying for you and keep us updated!
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Mom of four brave lads and one sweet lassie
Scenes From This and That
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misswallo
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Lisa,
I'm wondering how your family is doing now? How's the baby?? We are due in 4wks and our pediatrician told me that some of my children should get the booster for whooping cough(some have been vaccinated, some have not), especially since we will have a newborn. I'm not convinced and would like to know what has worked for your family since we seem to be having an outbreak here in our community. Thank you!
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Missy-married in 1997 dd(99) dd(01) dd(04) dd(06) ds(09) and ds(12)
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4Real Forums : Our Lady of Good Remedy and Care
Topic: Whooping Cough Experience?
