Pertussis

So, we found out on December 10th that a child in Ian's daycare had Whooping Cough (pertussis). The child was in the 2-year-old classroom. The babies spend time with the 1-year-olds, who in turn spend time with the 2-year-olds, so they couldn't assure us Ian hadn't been exposed. The following Monday we found out Ian had been exposed to Strep, and the next day Bronchiolitis.

OK, time to call the doctor.

Took him in on Thursday, just to be safe. They tested him for pertussis and strep and sent us on our way with a 5-day course of prophylactic antibiotics. Well, yesterday Ian's pertussis test came back positive. Little man has Whooping Cough. And he's fully vaccinated, too. Pertussis in unvaccinated children is devastating. It makes them very, very sick, prone to apnea, pneumonia, seizures, hospitalization and in some cases, death. Losing your baby over a disease SO preventable is utterly heartbreaking.

Lessons to be learned:

1) VACCINATE YOUR KIDS. Herd immunity only works if we're all vaccinated, which if you think about it, means herd immunity NEVER works because there's always some bozos out there being ignorant and selfish and refusing to immunize their kids.

2) Vaccinate yourself. Childhood immunity wears off, and by the time most of us are adults and on to having kids of our own, we no longer have protection from pertussis. The majority of children who get pertussis get it from their parents or caregivers.

3) Know the symptoms and be proactive. If your child has been exposed, call your doctor THAT DAY and insist on being seen. Early treatment can help prevent spreading, and minimize symptoms. Vaccines also minimize symptoms, if your child is one of the unlucky 15% to get the disease despite your best efforts.

Ian is OK, we're OK, we're just under quarantine and bored. This could have been so much worse, and we feel very lucky that it wasn't. I'll say it again - VACCINATE. YOUR. CHILDREN.

http://www.cdc.gov/features/pertussis/