Alicia64 Posted November 12, 2011 Share Posted November 12, 2011 If my kids are "up to date" on shots and have been since they were tiny and if they've been exposed to whooping cough. . . because they've had their yearly shots -- are they safe from actually getting the whooping cough? Or. . .? I guess I'm not sure if whooping cough is one of the annual shots they've received. And, if they've received it, are they out of the woods? A friend has it. My kids have been exposed but haven't shown any symptoms. Thanks! Alley Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
DianeW88 Posted November 12, 2011 Share Posted November 12, 2011 Yes, if they are up to date on all their vaccines, they should be current on their whooping cough. If there's any doubt, check with your pediatrician. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
EKS Posted November 12, 2011 Share Posted November 12, 2011 If they're up to date on everything, then they're up to date on whooping cough. However, one can be up to date and still get whooping cough as the vaccine doesn't offer 100% protection. If you are concerned, I urge you to discuss it with your kids' doctor. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mrs Mungo Posted November 12, 2011 Share Posted November 12, 2011 I have a friend whose teenager was hospitalized with whooping cough last year. It is dangerous, even to older kids. And the vaccine does not offer 100% protection. But, I also don't think pertussis requires a *yearly* shot. It is a booster every so many years. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Perry Posted November 12, 2011 Share Posted November 12, 2011 If my kids are "up to date" on shots and have been since they were tiny and if they've been exposed to whooping cough. . . because they've had their yearly shots -- are they safe from actually getting the whooping cough? Or. . .? I guess I'm not sure if whooping cough is one of the annual shots they've received. And, if they've received it, are they out of the woods? A friend has it. My kids have been exposed but haven't shown any symptoms. Thanks! Alley Hi Alley, CDC recommends that all close contacts of pertussis patients, regardless of vaccine status, receive antibiotics within 3 weeks of exposure. However, there is debate about what would qualify as close exposure. Even if your kids are up to date, there is a good chance they are not immune. The vaccine doesn't protect everyone, and it wears off fairly rapidly. I would urge you to discuss it with your kids' doctor. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Alicia64 Posted November 13, 2011 Author Share Posted November 13, 2011 Yikes, thank you everyone. More co-pays: here we come! Alley Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ellesmere Posted November 13, 2011 Share Posted November 13, 2011 Are you in the U.S.? If so, you can call a public health nurse at the state or local health department for advice. As noted, if your kids are "up-to-date" they should be up-to-date on the pertussis vaccine. However, I know of a documented case of whooping cough in someone who was fully immunized. Also, when was your last booster? (I'm not asking you to answer publicly -- just to consider if you are at risk.) Double-check me with a doctor, but I believe that adults and even teens usually don't have immunity anymore unless they have gotten a booster. See here for more info about the booster schedule. Best wishes! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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