Whooping Cough Outbreak!!

ujocdeelovely · February 2014

Today I went into work and was informed that one of my students has a very bad case of whooping cough. We've notciced that his breathing wasn't right and informed the nurse to tell the mother. Of course nothing was done and he continued to come to school until it got worse. Now I'm here freaking out because I was told it's very contagious and this student has been coughing all over the place(I teach students with special needs and it isn't their fault that their coughing all over). I called up my doctor right away to speak to her on this matter. What makes it worse is that I haven't been feeling well and I'm starting to get a horrible cough. I know it's me being paranoid but still. Hopefully my doctor calls me back soon

Ladiebug710 · February 2014

I hope everything is ok. In adults it is usually a much milder illness than in kids, so at least there is that.

hfooter · February 2014

@veganlady if you claim it's for religious reasons, you don't have to vaccinate. It's messed up.

Snowflake312 · February 2014

They don't test for whooping cough very often, but if in fact he does have it, it is still possible that he was vaccinated, but does not have full immunity. That's why herd immunity is so important, to protect the rare person that the vaccine doesn't protect and those that cannot receive the vaccine (ie too young or immunocompromised). If his parents chose not to vaccinate, they are very ill-informed.

Generally speaking, it's much better to get pertussis while pregnant than right after giving birth. Regardless I would recommend you get vaccinated with Tdap between your 27th and 36th week of pregnancy to protect your baby.

https://www.cdc.gov/vaccines/adults/rec-vac/pregnant/whooping-cough/get-vaccinated.html

ujocdeelovely · February 2014

In order to be in school they must have vaccinations but I don't think the whooping cough is mandatory. And what PP said some can get away with saying it's a religious thing. I forgot to mention also that this child has parents that are special also. So it makes the situation worse. Many of my students come in soo sick. I just keep on sending them to the nurse and the office calls. Sometimes they'll stay home for a day and then come back. It's just so frustrating because their spreading their germs to everyone else and as a soon to be parent, I could never send my child in that sick. I would rather them stay home and get well.

Alisasecaida · February 2014

You can get vaccinated yourself as a means to pass along some of the immunities to your baby in utero. Talk to your doctor. My doctor has recommended that I get vaccinated at my next appointment because there have been higher cases in our area.

usernewname · February 2014

It is so frustrating when children are sent to school sick. I have noticed that it is easier for a parent to leave work for a sick child than to call in to work saying your child is sick. It just really sucks for us as we are all exposed to these things.

I hope you stay healthy! And that yor immune!

Junebug060609 · February 2014

@veganlady and @hfooter There are actual organized religions that use the religious exemption. I was raised in one of them (Christian Science). Each school year we had to get documentation from the Church to the school. It isnt "messed up", it's freedom of religion. It does bother me when the religion exemption is used wrongly though, which is likely how you meant it. And I do agree that it was crappy he was at school if he was coughing so bad the teachers were concerned.

All that said, when I went away to college i got every shot i needed...not à fun few appts...and i have kept up with them since. Got DTAP just last week in fact. My kids will be up to date on their shots as well.

@ujocdeelovely Are you current with your tetanus shot, usually the DTAP? The P in the name is for Pertussis, so if you got a DTAP shot you have been immunized. It is now recommended for women to get it with each pregnancy (and usually in 3rd tri).

Mimaloo · February 2014

At least they notify you right away (it sounds like it was right away in your case). At my school, we get notices from the Health Department months after a kid has had it, been out, and is back at school.

This year we were notified that there was a case of Pertussis AND Fifth's Disease (not the same kid). I called the nurse's office right away because I want to know if it's one of my students because if it is, I'm going straight to the doctor. I was told that "oh yeah that was back in the beginning of October. He's been back at school for a while". And really? You don't think it's important to notify the teachers (especially the pregnant teachers) right away???

I don't teach special needs btw and my high school kids are gross. They cough and sneeze all over everything and don't think twice about it.

hfooter · February 2014

@junebug060609 yes I know that. Thanks though.

Edit: Also, my personal opinion is that a public health issue should take precedence over freedom of religion.

MrsT2008 · February 2014

Alisasecaida said:

You can get vaccinated yourself as a means to pass along some of the immunities to your baby in utero. Talk to your doctor. My doctor has recommended that I get vaccinated at my next appointment because there have been higher cases in our area.

This would only be helpful if she hadn't already been exposed. Still a good thing to do, but it may not help her much in this case.

OP - I hope you're fine!!

ujocdeelovely · February 2014

Just spoke with my doctor today and she said to just keep an eye out. If I start to develop a bad cough or if I'm not feeling right to call her right away. I asked her about being vaccinated and she kinda just ignored my question. I'm keeping my fingers crossed that nothing comes out of this.

ArmyMedic7588 · February 2014

hfooter said:

@junebug060609 yes I know that. Thanks though.

Edit: Also, my personal opinion is that a public health issue should take precedence over freedom of religion.

I agree, your religious preference shouldn't affect my physical health. I honestly don't understand how in any religion they tell you that you can't get vaccines. Anyone actually know a legit argument for religion as to why you can't be vaccinated? Like example, is there somewhere in the bible or where ever that says "you shall not receive vaccines"... Not trying to be a smart ass but really....

CamrynnsMommy · February 2014

hfooter said:
@junebug060609 yes I know that. Thanks though.

Edit: Also, my personal opinion is that a public health issue should take precedence over freedom of religion.

I love you!

JoelleOK · February 2014

ArmyMedic7588 said:

hfooter said:

@junebug060609 yes I know that. Thanks though.

Edit: Also, my personal opinion is that a public health issue should take precedence over freedom of religion.

I agree, your religious preference shouldn't affect my physical health. I honestly don't understand how in any religion they tell you that you can't get vaccines. Anyone actually know a legit argument for religion as to why you can't be vaccinated? Like example, is there somewhere in the bible or where ever that says "you shall not receive vaccines"... Not trying to be a smart ass but really....

I saw part of a news report on PBS (not sure) where a family who used religious exemption was interviewed. They are strict Catholics and they said that some vaccines were developed using cells (or cell lines) from aborted fetuses. So they didn't want the vaccines that benefited from abortion.

Chellbell20 · February 2014

A child with special needs is possibly immunocompromised. Or may have other health concerns that prevent vaccination, even allergies. Maybe not, and he should not have been in school if he was that sick, but I would not immediately jump to irresponsible parents in this case.

In the end, you chose to be a teacher (as did I, so this applies to me too), and with that job comes the chance that you will be exposed to many things, and due to privacy laws the school doesn't have to inform you. It surprises me you know what student actually. Right now I know that there have been cases of Whooping cough, influenza A, lice and pin worms all found in my school system- but we aren't told what building, let alone what student. I don't like being exposed to all that, but it comes with the territory. I wish schools required all but the health exempt to get vaccinated. But that isn't reality if you are working in the public school system and why you make sure you are up to date on your own shots.

Allibob · February 2014

kitchencolors said:
Whooping cough is recommended by the AAP at 4-6 years and at 11-12 years. The emerging research about the TDap/DTaP vaccines shows that that might not be often enough to actually provide immunity for the "P" part (pertussis = whooping cough) for the entire interval between recommended shots (one of the reasons pregglies are supposed to get it more often than other adults).

DTaP is actually given at 2, 4, 6 and 15-18 months, as well as 4-6 years & 11-12. To cover them the first two months, pregnant women are advised to get it in 3rd Tri.

A two month old in my area just died of pertussis. Neither she or her mom were vaccinated (no word on other family members). It makes me crazy angry, but I imagine they've paid the price & now regret their decision.

ETA: hit post too soon.

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