Anybody else dealing with pertussis?

100kids, BSN, RN · May 3, 2017

Glad I live in NY. We are one of the most stringent vaccine supporters. If you are not immunized, you cannot attend school. NOPE.

Well unless you have a religious exemption. Those are not to difficult to get in my NY district. Several years ago my youngest had pertussis even though he was vaccinated. At the time I knew 5 children who got it in his school (there were more but I don't know the exact number). All 5 of them were properly vaccinated. Those cases made it even harder to convince some local parents of the need to vaccinate.

ruby_jane, BSN, RN · May 3, 2017

Four years ago we had a case (a single case!) here at the high school! Kid received TDaP in 7th but was infected three years later by sibling who had not had to have booster dose yet.

We had any number of staff who were pregnant or whose partners were pregnant. That was fun.

I tell that story, and the story about measles (last year) and mumps (this year) in our county to every exempting parent. We haven't had an honest-to-goodness outbreak at the school so they do not take me seriously.

Hang in there. There seems to be something about the acellular vaccine that doesn't confer as much immunity as whole cell pertussis vaccine (but that one caused many more vaccine reactions so I guess we don't win either way).

MrNurse(x2), ADN · May 3, 2017

Wish everyone had the ability to check titers. We are fortunate that ours get done by our employers.

Farawyn · May 3, 2017

I miss checking titres!

JenTheSchoolRN, BSN, RN · May 3, 2017

I miss checking titres!

I had to have my titers checked prior to entering nursing school; a few of my classmates had to get a booster for mumps, measles, rubella, and pertussis. Mine were fine; those whose titers were low were a few years older than me, so I wonder if I did the titer again if I'd need a booster now. Food for thought...

Flare, ASN, BSN · May 3, 2017

i feel like the amount of religious exemptions is waning lately -at least in my area. Hopefully the silver linings to the outbreaks is that it's making people realize that the anti vaxxers maybe were basing their belief's on fear and pseudo science and that you can stop vaccinating your children but the rate of autism is still going to rise due to (say it with me) a more clearly defined diagnosis criteria. Ah - now don't we all feel better? Well, maybe not the people in the throes of the outbreaks.

Floor_Nurse · May 3, 2017

(My first post) Perhaps this isn't related, but I've noticed that sometimes I don't auscultate any unusual lung sounds and document "Lung sounds clear", only to have the patient cough or wheeze a short while later. I have a good stethoscope. Am I missing something in the lower lobes?

MrNurse(x2), ADN · May 3, 2017

(My first post) Perhaps this isn't related, but I've noticed that sometimes I don't auscultate any unusual lung sounds and document "Lung sounds clear", only to have the patient cough or wheeze a short while later. I have a good stethoscope. Am I missing something in the lower lobes?

Coughs and auditory wheezes are normally upper airway occurrences. Trust your skills, document the cough and carry on.

WineRN · May 3, 2017

The two cases I had here both had their vaccinations.

Our district is strict on immunizations (no proof of vaccinations/proof that they are in progress, you will be escorted out by the second day of classes and will not be able to return until proof is given).

quickkarma, BSN · May 3, 2017

This is a minor rant, some facts, and mostly on topic: I think it is important to remember Biology and immune response. Memory B cells live in the lymphatic system, and live a long time. Memory B cells cannot be detected by examining your blood, i.e., blood titers. Remember, that's why tetorifice booster shots are needed every 10 years because by the time the Memory B cells got the message to make antibodies (in the blood) you'd be dead because your diaphragm muscle would lock up/contract/freeze. I don't think it's necessary to continue to vaccinate adults due to low titers for other diseases. And probably not healthy. Vaccination doesn't eradicate the disease. I know you all know this! It assists with mounting an immune response quicker. The diseases are still very present. And every person, depending on their own body, their health, their nutrition, their sleep quality/quantity, stress level affects how their body will respond to any incoming pathogen. It just seems like everyone has forgotten this. Two children with the same vaccinations will not have the same immune response when that pathogen is reintroduced. Take pertussis for example: Kid A might have congestion and minor cough for 3 days, Kid B will cough for two weeks and feel lousy. Both kids-same age-same vaccination schedule. Parents of both say, "my kid has cold." Well, they could have been exposed to pertussis. (I know this from experience BTW) In other words, pertussis is far more common than people realize/believe/think/understand. It's still out there, everywhere. We take care of ourselves and our children differently, we have different body chemistry, different lifestyles, activities, etc., that help or hinder our immune system. Last, the current plan to end federally funded school breakfast and lunch programs....Mind blowing. The government will pay to inject them, but won't pay for a basic need such as nutrition.

Julius Seizure · May 3, 2017

I am another "lucky" one that has never seroconverted for the Hep B vaccine....I always have to sign that paper that says "yes I know I am at risk".

AdobeRN · May 3, 2017

I am another "lucky" one that has never seroconverted for the Hep B vaccine....I always have to sign that paper that says "yes I know I am at risk".

Me too! I had the series 3 times - beginning of nursing school then when I started working at a hospital, they tested me and had me go thru the series 2 more times and never seroconverted.