I'm basically hysterical re: whooping cough

Soap1 · March 2014

Went to a play date today with a new friend who has a daughter DS2's age. Her daughter was coughing a lot, and then the mom drops the bomb that she doesn't vaccinate her kid and that the doctor was trying to "scare her" by saying the cough might be whooping cough!

My stomach DROPPED. DS3 was there with me, in the sling the whole time thank goodness. I cannot believe she would risk my baby's health/life. We left quickly afterward and I took off my clothes the second we came inside, washed my hands a zillion times, bathed the boys, and changed DS3's clothes.

I called the pediatrician who said there's not much we can do but watch DS3 closely. If he even gets a sniffle they'll start treatment in case it was whooping cough. I'm hoping the daughter didn't have it, and if she did, that the sling and my insane hygiene routine keeps him healthy.

And needless to say, we will not have a playdate with her again.

BioGirl21 · March 2014

Wow, I am so sorry you have to worry about that. People are so careless with other people's help. Anti-vax'ers need to wear signs or something.

mrsgoe23 · March 2014

I felt panicky just reading this! FX your family stays healthy. I can't believe she thought the doctor was trying to "scare her".
[-X

ahare2009 · March 2014

DS has caught something and has a terrible cough and congestion. I am blaming my brother and SIL, because we attended my niece's second birthday on Saturday and she was hacking/coughing the whole time. If they would have warned us I would have left LO home with his dad. We obviously kept DS away from her, but being 2 she wasn't covering her mouth. He is so miserable and I am terrified it is more than a cold. We went to the pediatrician yesterday and they said it is a cold, but in the back of my mind I keep thinking about how he hasn't had his 2 month shots yet. Good luck to you and I hope LO is fine. I definitely agree with no playdates with her again.

eta: Isn't there a test they could do on her child?

coffeyandyogapants · March 2014

Omg. Could she be any more irresponsible? That kind of ignorance really makes me mad. I really hope your baby didnt pick anything up!

keags5496 · March 2014

What the actual fuck! I don't even know what makes me stabbier...the no vax or the blatent disregard for your LOs health. FX everything is okay and that everyone is healthy.

Soap1 · March 2014

golfergirl08 said:

I would be hysterical and LIVID. People are so fucking selfish. Did you tell her how selfish she was being, and that she was endangering your newborn's health/life by bringing her possibly sick kid to a playdate with your kid?

ETA: I hope the doctor DID scare her. Vaccinate your freaking kids!!!

I did tell her I'm very pro vaccine. Now I have all sorts of things in my mind about what I should have said but I was in panic mode trying to find some hand sanitizer to bathe in and didn't say anything good...

NoelMarieFrey · March 2014

What a douche! I can't believe that! ((Hugs)) I really hope all of you stay healthy!!! T&P!

lihau88 · March 2014

Oh hell no!! So sorry you have to worry about your LO. FX your kiddos didn't pick it up.

RondackHiker · March 2014

I'd have to tell her how mad I was and that she was selfish and stupid to allow a child with a cough around a newborn... Let alone a child who might have whooping cough.

djtippietoes · March 2014

This is awful. I really hope your kids are okay. I would be livid. I'm livid for you!

MamaHollywood27 · March 2014

O...M...G!!!! I woulda flipped shit! Seriously flipped shit! Ugh I'm praying for you that its not whooping cough and seriously DELETE said friends digits!

Soap1 · March 2014

TyrannosaurusLex said:

I don't even...what the fucking fuck? Like I said to 1linedrawing yesterday, this makes me want to puke with fear and anger. So - is it appropriate to ask people if they vaccinate before becoming friends with them? Slash if they're callous turds who put newborn babies at risk? Cuz it seems appropriate.

I hate that anyone would ever HAVE to ask, but clearly we do.

sprashley · March 2014

For the love ... Just goes to show how careless and irresponsible some people are. Sorry you are dealing with this!! These anti-vaxxers need to talk to someone who was affected by these illnesses. My MIL had whooping cough as a child and said she was miserable for months; it really affected her childhood.

kak808 · March 2014

Wow, that is absolutely terrible. How could she be so careless and stupid??? I really hope it turns out to be nothing. So sorry that stupid people are making you stress about crap like this. I just told my husband what happened and I think we literally will ask all people if they're anti-vaxers before hanging out with them. That is ridiculous.

ramfan05 · March 2014

Ugh! I am so sorry you are dealing with this! I am livid for you that she would even keep the playdate and put your LO at risk! I really hope your kids are all okay - ((hugs))

slwprincess · March 2014

Damn, I am pissed for you. WTH IS WRONG WITH HER?!

littlepig2 · March 2014

omg that's ridiculous!! I'm so sorry that you're dealing with this. I get that people have their own reasons for not vacc'ing but whyyy would you bring a possibly sick kid around a new baby or ANYone if you think it could be whooping cough?! people are such idiots! (((big hugs)))

ShePersisted · March 2014

I wish there was a law to sue people who did not vaccinate their kids... You know on the grounds of endangerment to your well being etc. sigh! Sorry mama!!

inluv4life2 · March 2014

This is shocking and so reckless of your friend. I would give that person a piece of my mind!

My DD got whooping cough at age 1 despite being vaccinated and if I knew who gave it to her I would kick their ass. Thankfully her case was mild-ish since she had the vaccine (but not the whole series).

FX crossed all is ok for your LO! Hugs, mama!

halfthetree · March 2014

Vaccination issue aside... Who the fuck brings their sick kid around a new baby?! Not just a sniffle, but a potentially very serious illness? I just can't imagine, I'm so sorry she was such an inconsiderate asshole.

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Dexter&11 · March 2014

Not too late to say something to her - if she can be that irresponsible then she must be told!!!!

I'd avoid any further contact too and make sure she knows exactly why she's on the no contact list

1linedrawing · March 2014

GAWDDAMMIT! WHAT THE FUCK IS WRONG WITH PEOPLE??!!!!!!
I'm so sorry, Soap1. I had a family member drop a bomb like that WHILE she was HOLDING MY TWO WEEK OLD DAUGHTER.
I hope all is well, and that your LO is safe and sound.
((HUGS))

Soap1 · March 2014

Thanks everyone! If it had just been a normal toddler cold, I wouldn't even bat an eye - after all, I have toddlers too! But I couldn't believe she would risk my baby with possible whooping cough.

I agree with a PP - if LO gets whooping cough I am totally going to try to sue. On principle!

mlynn333 · March 2014

This makes me so angry. My cousin is anti vaccine and I avoid her like the plague.

Prayers that your LO stays healthy!

Mazingmommyof6 · March 2014

I agree with pp that if you see her again have a kind chat with her about how it's just not okay to bring a child that " might" have whooping cough" out like that. It puts the elderly at serious risk as well as any babies/ small children

MamaAllison · March 2014

This lady was laughing about this? What a ridiculous c-word. I don't say this often, but I feel bad for her kids! Hope your family stays healthy.

I'm all for signs on doors of anti-vaxers.

queeniecrayon · March 2014

I'm livid for you! A friend of mine doesn't vaccinate (she and her husband are both RNs btw) and she keeps asking to get together to meet the baby....I keep avoiding the topic. But seriously, this shouldn't even be a worry!