Questions about Whooping Cough PLEASE!!!

[kwagner_51]

I work in Head start and Early Head Start and found out today that 2 of my EHS children have been diagnosed with pertussis. It has gone to the State Department of Health.

The boy is 6 months old and has had 3 immunizations against this disease. His sister is 4 and she also has been immunized against it. They started on antibiotics on November 30. I had about 60 people in and out of my office on November 6. We were doing health screenings on the newborn-3 y/o's. I did ht, wt, head circ., vision, hearing and Hgb and lead screenings on the children.

In July of this year, I was exposed to a respiratory illness. I had a slight fever and had to take tylenol w/ codiene to tame the cough. It was the absolute worst cough I have ever had. You know how you cough when you get choked? Well that is the kind of cough I had. it was awful!!

I had a slight fever, but no cough when I did the screenings on November 6th. About 2 weeks later the awful cough showed up again.

My question is how does the dr. diagnose pertussis? I know I need to be tested to see if I am a carrier. I was immunized in the early 60's and wasn't required to retake the shots as a nursing student. please Advice ASAP!!

My job involves children from newborn up to and including 5 year olds. It also includes Prenatal Moms.

Thanks!!

________________________________________

In His Grace,

Karen

Failure is NOT an option!!

[SCRN1]

Pertussis: an update on primary prevention and outbreak control American Family Physician - Find Articles

[BSNtobe2009]

Are there other children whose immunization records were not furnished or verfied?

[kwagner_51]

Are there other children whose immunization records were not furnished or verfied?

No. Each child is REQUIRED to be up to date on their immunizations. I spent days verifying each one of the children's vaccines. I have access to the State immunization web site that lists each shot, if it was a combo, where it was given, the date, who gave it which company made it and the control number.

I talked to the nurse in the immunization clinic several times to verify the records.

All Head Start and Early Head Start children are required by Federal Mandate to be completely vaccinated before they are allowed into the program.

Thanks!

_____________________________

In His Grace,

Karen

Failure is NOT an option!!

[augigi, CNS]

My question is how does the dr. diagnose pertussis? I know I need to be tested to see if I am a carrier. I was immunized in the early 60's and wasn't required to retake the shots as a nursing student. please Advice ASAP!!

There is plenty of information available online with regard to diagnosis of pertussis (check http://www.cdc.gov). With regard to your question about yourself, I'd have to say go check with your doctor.

[kukukajoo, LPN]

my daughter got pertussis after her first dtp shot. not sure if the vaccine is what they used 15 yrs ago but just letting you know.

also i think cdc recommends all heathcare workers the new dpt combo- it's called tdap:

on october 26, 2005, the advisory committee on immunization practices (acip) recommended routine use of a single dose of tdap for adults 19-64 years of age to replace the next booster dose of tetorifice and diphtheria toxoids vaccine (td). the acip also recommended tdap for adults who have close contact with infants

preventing tetorifice, diphtheria, and pertussis among adolescents: use of tetorifice toxoid, reduced diphtheria toxoid and acellular pertussis vaccines. recommendations of the advisory committee on immunization practices (acip).

[EricJRN, MSN, RN]

Karen,

Your best bet is to consult your physician for this type of information. Dispensing medical advice is outside of our scope and violates our Terms of Service at Allnurses.

We wish you the best of health!