Pertussis

[MrNurse(x2)]

I got an email from one of our teachers that all 3 of her daughters, despite vaccination, have pertussis and were in school during the contagious phase. I was pouring over CDC site last night and see that the real threat is to newborns and pregnant women. It appears that the rate of non-immunity post vaccine is highest for pertussis and the anti-vac crowd have increased the risk over the last few years. My Principal wanted to know if a notice should be sent to parents and my initial response was no, as the threat is the same in the community as at school, and unvaccinated kids should have the attitude that their kids are possibly going to come down with one of these things anyway. Looking at risk, there is more possibility of valvular disease from strep throat than complications from pertussis. Has anyone dealt with this and if so, how did you handle it? Thanks once again for your insight.

[OldDude]

So you're saying there was never a MD diagnosis of whooping cough? Mom got all this off Google or something?

[MrNurse(x2), ADN]

So you're saying there was never a MD diagnosis of whooping cough? Mom got all this off Google or something?

No, CDC site. She convinced the doctors to do prophylactic erythromycin for 5 days. Her email said they were diagnosed, etc. The kids are staying out until the 5 days, and have been out for 1 week prior. The internet would have us all dead if it were all true.

[OldDude]

Based on her conflicting information,was there a bonafide MD diagnosis or no?

[Farawyn]

Based on her conflicting information,was there a bonafide MD diagnosis or no?

Yea, this is...icky territory. The doc won't diagnose. but will prescribe antibiotics?

Probably to get the mom out of the office.

We have not had pertussis here. NY is very strict with immunization laws, something I'm very thankful for.

Please ignore my grammar today. I know it's terribler than usual.

[MrNurse(x2), ADN]

Based on her conflicting information,was there a bonafide MD diagnosis or no?

No, the DoH called the physician, it was all done over the phone. My pediatrician won't prescribe most things over the phone, even if parent is a doctor. I told him the irony that if I gave my assessment from the hospital he would prescribe, but since it is from my home he wouldn't. He said the emotional aspect trumps knowledge. The pediatrician did not defer treatment until culture, she just ordered AB therapy since it was Saturday. Much ado about nothing. The public health RN said that rarely do they advocate alerting all parents, not worth the aggravation.

[OldDude]

To me, it's a stretch to believe a licensed physician would treat a mandatory reportable disease without a diagnosis...The cynic in me thinks someone is not being truthful, or I'm not following the story line correctly.

[MrNurse(x2), ADN]

To me, it's a stretch to believe a licensed physician would treat a mandatory reportable disease without a diagnosis...The cynic in me thinks someone is not being truthful, or I'm not following the story line correctly.

I had the same questions after talking to the health department. something isn't adding up. To order the 5 day run of AB without culture seems irresponsible. The story made it seem as if this whole thing was from the physician when I got the email from the mother, but totally parent driven when talking to the nurse. I am not happy with the situation, but I trust the health dept., so I will take their lead on this.

[OldDude]

Totally agree. You've done everything you can. This is yet another example why I constantly preach to the staff here. You only know what you know, that is what you see or hear personally. Everything else is hearsay. Good on you Mr for pushing this one through.